Lango’s best, worst performed MPs revealed in new rankings

4 June 2024, 2:44 pm

By Denis Okello & Bonny Otim Ogwal

Five Members of Parliament from Lango sub-region have printed their names in the hall of fame in Uganda’s August house, having been ranked among the best 100 debaters in the country in the third session of the 11th Parliament.

This is according to the Parliament’s plenary scorecard results published by the government-owned newspaper, the Weekend Vision of Saturday 1st June 2024.

The scorecard ranked, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at position number one with 242 points, followed by State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi at 191 and Erute South’s Jonathan Odur at number four with 181 points. Those who never spoke in the house in the last session were David Ochwa of Agule County, Ssimbwa Fred of Nakifuma and Lira City West’s Shedrick Vincent Obong Eyit, out of 585 MPs.

In Lango, the overall best legislator is Jonathan Odur of Erute South who debated 181 times, followed by Alum Santa Ogwang, the Oyam District woman MP who debated 96 times. Obua Denis Hamson of Ajuri County came in at number 3 with 59 points, Dr Opio Samuel Acuti of Kole North, 39 times, Okot Ogong Felix of Dokolo South, 34 times, Ogwal Moses Goli of Dokolo North, 27 times and Amongi Betty Ongom of Oyam South who debated 25 times.

Some of the MPs who registered dismal performance include Obong Vincent Shedrick Eyit of Lira City West and Akora Maxwel Ebong Patrick of Maruzi County in Apac who did not debate at all, scoring 0 in the third session of the 11th Parliament.

Others are UPC party president also Lira City East MP, Akena James Micheal, who spoke three times and Olobo James Dubai of Kioga North who debated 4 times.

Ocan Patrick of Apac Municipality debated 7 times, Okwir Samuel Odwe of Moroto County, Okello Nelson Lemba of Maruzi North and Abeja Susan Jolly, Otuke woman MP all spoke 8 times. Akello Christine of Erute North debated 9 times while Awor Betty Engola, Apac woman MP, Acon Julius Bua of Otuke East and Atim Agnes Apea, Amolatar woman MP debated 10 times.

Ocen Peter Akalo of Kole South debated 11 times, Okot Boniface Henry, youth MP, 13 times, Ayoo Tonny of Kwania county, 13 times, Auma Kenny Lapat,  Kwania woman MP, 13 times, Dr Aceng Jane Ruth of Lira City, 14 times, Apio Eunice Otuku of Oyam North, 16 times.

Speaking on Voice of Lango’s highly rated topical discussion program, on Monday, Jonathan Odur says for one to perform well, he or she needs to prepare adequately through research and being in the know of what is in the order paper.

Odur added that, MPs should also be acquainted with the challenges their constituents are facing by consistently getting feedback from them and being present in the house regularly.