Otuke Woman MP Quits LPG WhatsApp Group, Protests ‘Unfair’ Seed Allocation

What the report says

Dokolo Post reports that Otuke District Woman MP Susan Jolly Abeja has defended leaving the Lango Parliamentary Group (LPG) WhatsApp platform, saying her action was a protest over what she considers an unfair allocation of agricultural seeds to Otuke. According to the report, Abeja said the district received only 5,000 kilogrammes of maize under a government-backed planting support programme, an amount she argued was too low compared with allocations to other districts in the Lango Sub-region.

Abeja said the move should not be interpreted as quitting the regional parliamentary caucus itself. She stated that she remains part of the LPG, but is dissatisfied with the distribution and wants Otuke’s allocation raised to 35,000 kilogrammes, which she said would put the district on a fairer level with others. The seeds are being distributed through the Office of the Prime Minister as part of an intervention intended to support farm production and household livelihoods ahead of the planting season.

LPG Chairperson Patrick Ogwang Obura, the Oyam South MP, responded that many members were still in their constituencies, making it difficult to immediately establish all details. He urged unity and said grievances should be handled through the group’s constitutional dispute-resolution structures.

The report says 487,000 kilogrammes of seeds have been allocated across Lango. Oyam received the highest share at 129,500 kilogrammes, followed by Lira City with 83,500 and Lira District with 79,000. Otuke received the lowest allocation. The overall package includes maize, sesame, soybean, beans, rice, groundnuts and sunflower seeds.