The Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) yesterday (Friday) suspended five of its members for supporting the lifting of Presidential age limit.
APG has 25 legislators from Acholi region. According to a statement issued by Odongo Otto, Aruu county MP and signed by the APG secretary general and Kilak MP Gilbert Olanya, the suspended MPs betrayed the trust of the Acholi people and supported the controversial amendment of Article 102(b) of the Constitution contrary to the views of the Acholi people.
“We cannot transact any meaningful business for Acholi people in the presence of the “Yes” MPs, ” the statement reads.
Those suspended include Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Municipality), Edward Otto Makmot (Agago county), Catherine Lamwaka (Omoro district), Molly Lanyero (Lamwo district) and Margaret Odwa, the Woman MP Kitgum District.
The suspension, according to Odonga otto takes immediate effect. Part of the statement read in Acholi that, “lok tyelo dong pe loke ka joni tye, joni cato kaka woko“, loosely translated that the suspended MPs are traitors.
No peace
Ever since the majority NRM party MPs and few opposition MPs amended the Constitution to lift the age limit, they are facing negative publicity.
Last year on Christmas Day at mass services held Rubaga Cathedral, some Catholics booed the Vice President Edward Sekandi, accusing him of supporting the age limit.
Ministers exonerated
APG, however, exonerated the two ministers; Oryem Okello (Foreign Affairs) and Hillary Onek (Disaster Preparedness), who were bound by collective cabinet responsibility.
The Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah also Omoro County MP, was applauded in the statement for leaving the house to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to chair.