By Derick Omoding
The elongated outcry of hash poverty conditions among the communities in Teso Sub – Region have been blamed on the greedy, and the lazy political leaders who have concentrated on their selfish interests other than committing to transforming the lives of the majority poor people.
Dr. Joseph Opul, the Executive Director of Opul Skilling Foundation, has expressed his worries over the deepening wars amongst Teso’s own leaders, especially those holding top positions in government.
He notes that such divisions have dragged down the efforts by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his several attempts to transform people’s livelihoods in the region.
Opul believes that if the president pays critical attention to the factions within the NRM leaders in Teso, then it would be a step in his 2040 NRM transformation dream in the region and the entire country.
The senior consultant on social development in Teso Sub – Region and South Sudan preaches the message of Unity amongst the leaders to accelerate the flow of government programs aimed at diversifying the livelihoods of the people.
“Whenever the elephants fight, the grass definitely suffer the most and in this case, I am calling on the leaders in the region to abandon their fights and focus on what they will account during their stewardship,” he said.
Adding: “I am so worried that Teso will soon become a laughing stock for continuing to blame government over poverty, yet President Museveni has given priority to the region by appointing big top positions like the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, among the lineup of Ministers who could rapidly steer development and transmission of government programs without any excuse.”
Opul has not specified the parties involved in the war. Although the Vice President Jessica Alupo and the Speaker Anita Among have not made any comments over their silent war, a section of electorates in the region have blamed the NRM Vice Chairman in Eastern Region Capt. Mike Mukula for being a catalyst in the split because of the personal differences he developed with the Vice President Jessica Alupo.
The insiders within the state house say that the President is pretty much aware of the ongoing disagreements. However, he is giving them time.
Augustine Otuko, the President’s Private Secretary in charge of political affairs, once blamed Capt. Mukula, whom he says, is the main architect of confusion amongst the Teso leaders.
“Mukula is a very greedy man and thinks that he can ignite the fight and take advantage to benefit from the situation.”
Augastine Otuko, Presidents Private Secretary in charge Political affairs.
Otuko is also unhappy with Mukula for continuing to undermine the vice president, Jessica Alupo, ever since her appointment to the current position by the president.
“If Mukula is indeed a person who wishes Teso well, let him begin by uniting the leaders of Teso as the Vice Chairman of NRM Party in the region.” he added.
In June 2022, after the Soroti City East Bye – Elections, Mukula addressed the press at his home in Senior Equators Soroti, where he criticized Alupo. However, his comments did not go well with the public, as many of them demanded his public apology for tarnishing Alupo’s image in the person of the Vice President.