Lango Parliamentary Group Ushers in New Leadership, Pledges Unity Beyond Party Lines

LCC TV NEWS

In a decisive sitting held this morning at the Parliamentary Buildings, the Lango Parliamentary Group (LPG) has elected a fresh slate of office bearers, signaling a strategic shift toward regional cohesion and collaboration ahead of the next legislative session.

The session, presided over by outgoing Chairperson Hon. Sam Engola — who also serves as Uganda’s Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees — was marked by a rare display of unity. Engola, alongside a heavyweight contingent of Lango ministers including Government Chief Whip Hon. Jane Ruth Acheng, State Minister for Economic Monitoring Hon. Santa Alum, and State Minister for Youth & Child Affairs Hon. Mercy Lakisa, oversaw what witnesses described as a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

The New Executive

By the close of the morning’s agenda, the following leaders had been elected in accordance with the LPG constitution:

• Chairperson: Hon. Patrick Ogwang Obura (MP Oyam South)

• Vice Chairperson: Hon. Janet Auma (Woman MP, Amolatar District)

• General Secretary: Hon. Collins Angwech (Woman MP, Kyoga County)

• Treasurer: Hon. Julius Acon (MP Otuke County)

• Publicity Secretary: Hon. Joseph Jones Ogwal (MP Dokolo North)

The transition from the outgoing executive, led by Engola, was characterized by a tone of institutional memory and continuity. Engola, who steered the group through a turbulent political period, urged the incoming team to prioritize procedure, teamwork, and respect for parliamentary rules above individual ambition.

Unity as a Non-Negotiable

In her address to the newly constituted executive, Hon. Jane Ruth Acheng underscored the necessity of transcending political party affiliations. “Lango must speak with one voice,” she told the gathering. “Whether you sit on the government or opposition side, the development of our subregion and the welfare of our people remain the ultimate currency of our politics.”

The ministers collectively congratulated the four appointed Lango subregion ministers and extended special gratitude to H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for what they termed “trust beyond political calculation.” The gesture was widely interpreted as a strategic alignment with the ruling NRM government, while leaving the door open for opposition-leaning Lango MPs to collaborate on regional issues.

A Pledge to Serve Beyond Party Colors

The newly elected Chairperson, Hon. Patrick Ogwang Obura, struck a conciliatory and forward-looking chord in his acceptance remarks. “We are inheriting a house that is already strong,” Ogwang said. “Our job is not to rebuild, but to build on the knowledge of the outgoing executive. The Lango agenda comes first — ahead of business, ahead of partisanship.”

He further pledged to work across the aisle, ensuring that all Lango MPs — regardless of their political stripes — have a seat at the table when it comes to resource allocation, constituency development, and disaster preparedness — a pressing issue for the flood-prone subregion.

The Publicity Secretary, Hon. Joseph Jones Ogwal, echoed this sentiment, vowing to keep the electorate informed and the leadership accountable. “Transparency is not optional,” Ogwal said. “We shall communicate every resolution, every budget line, and every challenge to our people.”

What This Means for Lango Politics

Political analysts view the election as a carefully calibrated move to consolidate Lango’s influence in the 11th Parliament. With four substantive ministerial positions and now a unified parliamentary group, the subregion is positioning itself as a formidable bloc in both legislative bargaining and national coalition politics.

The challenge, however, lies in sustaining the unity pledge. Lango has historically experienced factional divisions along party and personality lines. Whether the new executive can enforce discipline without alienating members remains an open question.

For now, the ministers and new leaders have struck a chord of cautious optimism. As Hon. Sam Engola handed over the gavel, he left the room with a final reminder: “Leadership is service. Serve Lango well.”

LCC TV NEWS