Acholi paramount chief cautions MPs against misconduct, neglecting constituents
Rwot Acana said he had received information about some legislators who, he alleged, had fathered children with multiple women, impregnated young girls, or separated from their spouses after entering Parliament.
Acholi paramount chief Rwot David Onen Acana II. (File photo)
________________
Members of Parliament from the Acholi sub-region have been urged to avoid reckless conduct, including extramarital relationships, impregnating young girls and abandoning spouses after joining Parliament.
Acholi paramount chief Rwot David Onen Acana II made the call while speaking at a two-day meeting organised by the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) in Gulu city.
Rwot Acana said he had received information about some legislators who, he alleged, had fathered children with multiple women, impregnated young girls, or separated from their spouses after entering Parliament.
He also claimed that some legislators travel at night from Kampala to Acholi and make stops along the way, allegedly referring to their female relationships as their "projects."
Rwot Acana said such behaviour is known by voters and alleged that some leaders exhibiting these tendencies were rejected by the electorate in the recent elections.
The paramount chief also challenged ministers from Acholi to be more responsive to calls from leaders and communities in the sub-region.
He expressed disappointment that three of the four ministers from Acholi did not attend the first day of the APG meeting held on September 19-20, 2026.
Those who were absent included relief, disaster preparedness and refugees state minister Lillian Aber, who represents Kitgum district; justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao, the MP for Laroo-Pece Division; and general duties minister Hillary Onek, MP for Palabek County.
Northern Uganda state minister Beatrice Akori attended the meeting, although she arrived late.
Rwot Acana urged MPs to remain accessible to the people who elected them, saying national responsibilities should not be used as an excuse for neglecting their constituents and the wider Acholi community.
He made the remarks while addressing leaders from Acholi, including Members of Parliament, religious leaders, cultural leaders, politicians and other opinion leaders.
Rwot Martin Otinga Atuka Otto Yai II, the cultural chief of Lamogi, also cautioned MPs against failing to respond to calls from their constituents.
The APG meeting was organised to develop a legislative agenda that will guide MPs from Acholi during the five-year parliamentary term.
Pader District Woman MP Lowila CD Oketayot said leaders must act responsibly and lead by example.
Oketayot, a senior legislator, said she had previously counselled some fellow legislators whom she believed were becoming distracted by relationships outside their marriages.
Richard Ricky Anywar, the MP for Agago West County, agreed with Rwot Acana's concerns.
Anywar said that, as the paramount chief and an elder, Rwot Acana receives information from many sources and that the concerns he raised should be taken seriously.
Anywar said the legislators would reflect on the concerns raised and work to serve the people who elected them and the wider Acholi community.
The meeting was held under the theme "From Policy to Impact: Fast Tracking the Success of Government Programmes and Harnessing Upcoming Opportunities for Socio-Economic Transformation in the Acholi Sub-Region."