Bishop Odur Kami Warns Lango MPs: Deliver on Promises or Face Voter Rejection in 2031

LCC TV NEWS 

ALEBTONG, UGANDA — Bishop Emeritus John Charles Odur Kami has issued a stark warning to Members of Parliament from the Lango sub-region, stating that those who fail to deliver on their promises risk being rejected by voters in the 2031 general elections. The bishop made the remarks during a thanksgiving gathering for newly elected Moroto County MP Leo Elem, held at Alira Primary School and attended by more than 300 people .

Bishop Odur Kami urged Lango MPs to prioritise serving their constituents over political infighting, cautioning against what he described as the tendency of some leaders to look down on their financial supporters after assuming office. "The strength of a Member of Parliament is not in the money given to them. Some MPs begin looking down on the people who supported them financially. If that happens, they may not return to Parliament in 2031," he warned .

The bishop further called on MPs to support development initiatives without allowing party politics to interfere with their responsibilities. He argued that political parties do not sit in Parliament to represent citizens—elected MPs do. "MPs should therefore put the interests of the people who sent them to Parliament above party differences and work collectively to attract development to the Lango sub-region," he said. He also appealed to the people of Lango to embrace unity, love, and cooperation .

UPC Leader Criticises Government

Addressing the same gathering, James Akung Wapakabulu, UPC Chairperson for Alebtong District and LC3 of Abia Sub-county, criticised the government over what he described as the arrest of prominent leaders. Akung accused the government of weakening citizens' ability to unite and demand accountability, urging the people to come together and reject practices that undermine development. He noted that UPC had already begun engaging residents of Moroto County about the priorities they expect their new MP to address .

New MP Calls for Intervention on Stalled Schools

In his remarks, MP Leo Elem called on Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Sam Engola and Minister of State for Economic Monitoring Santa Sandra Alum Ogwang to intervene in the stalled construction of two seed secondary schools in Alebtong District: Akura Seed Secondary School and Alebtong Comprehensive Seed School. Elem said the government approved the projects in 2018, but construction has not progressed, leaving communities waiting for the promised infrastructure .

The concerns echo earlier reports about the challenges facing these institutions. In 2024, Akura Seed Secondary School was reported to be grappling with inadequate teachers' accommodation and office facilities, with staff reportedly holding meetings under trees due to a lack of proper structures . The school was also running without a library or laboratory . The challenges have been raised in Parliament, with legislators noting that students were studying under trees despite the project being approved years earlier .

Ministers Promise Action

Responding to the concerns, Minister Santa Sandra Alum Ogwang said the government would examine the issues raised and work to establish a way forward for the stalled seed school projects. She also announced that her ministry would begin monitoring government funds being sent to local governments across Lango to ensure proper utilisation and accountability .

Minister Sam Engola, who also serves as MP for Erute South, told the gathering that Lango leaders must work together and speak with one voice on matters affecting the sub-region. He said Lango leaders have an opportunity to consolidate their priorities and present them collectively before Cabinet. Engola also revealed that beginning Monday, July 27, 2026, his ministry, in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, would commence distribution of foodstuffs—including posho and beans—to households across Lango, following a model similar to the government's intervention in the Karamoja sub-region .

Background on Leo Elem's Election

Leo Elem, an educationist and former Principal of St. Gracious Schools in Lira City, was elected as MP for Moroto County in the January 2026 general elections, defeating the incumbent NRM MP Samuel Okwir Odwee with 16,204 votes against 10,912 . His victory came after a landslide win in the UPC primaries in August 2025, where he secured 87.7% of the votes . Elem's campaign focused on improving educational standards in the district, which had ranked last in the Lango sub-region in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations .