By Delux Emmy Alomu
SOROTI
The Teso Parliamentary Group (TPG) has elected a new executive leadership for 2026/2023 aimed at fostering unity among lawmakers and propelling the development agenda for the Teso Sub-region.
This new leadership was decided upon after a thorough vetting process overseen by a committee led by Jeje Odongo, the Member of Parliament for Orungo County.
This committee included notable figures such as Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo, Dr. Clement Kenneth Ongalo Obote (State Minister for Teso Affairs and MP for Kalaki County), Sidronius Opolot Okaasai (Minister of state for energy/Kumi County MP), as well as Calvin Echodu (NRM National Vice Chairperson Eastern and MP for Soroti City West), alongside Peter Paul Emaju, MP for Kasilo County.
At the forefront of the newly elected executive is Simon Peter Opolot, the MP for Kanyum County, who steps into the role of Chairperson. He will be supported by Emmanuel Omoding, the MP for Serere County, who takes on the role of Vice Chairperson. Opolot succeeds former Chairperson Bosco Okiror, who represented Usuk County but faced defeat in the recent elections against NRMs Richard Ongorok.
Welcoming his new role, the newly elected chairperson of TPG expressed commitment to serve the people and the community. He vowed to foster a collaborative and well-connected leadership within TPG, aimed at promoting unity and prosperity for the people of Teso.
Peter Paul Emaju from Kasilo County assumes the position of Secretary General, while Alfred Elalu Edakasi, the MP for Kaberamaido, will serve as Treasurer. Kumi District’s Woman MP, Christine Apolot, has been appointed Publicity Secretary.
Cultural affairs will be overseen by Fredrick Angura, MP for Tororo South, and Jane Francis Amongin, the Woman MP for Kaberamaido District, while investment responsibilities will fall to David Beecham Okwere, the MP for Bukedea County.
After the election, Secretary General Emaju expressed that the new executive would hit the ground running, emphasizing the urgency of establishing a robust operational foundation for the group. He shared that the executive’s immediate priority is to create a detailed working framework and governance documents to guide TPG’s activities.
In addition, they plan to develop a five-year parliamentary strategy aimed at uniting efforts among legislators to tackle key developmental challenges facing the Teso Sub-region.
The members of the newly elected executive committed to diligently serve and prioritize the interests of the Teso people.
Emaju highlighted that once the internal governance systems are solidified, the executive intends to engage President Yoweri Museveni on pressing issues affecting the Teso community and discuss potential governmental support.
Vice President Alupo, during her address, encouraged both outgoing and incoming leaders to foster collaboration and set aside political differences for the greater good of the region.
Alupo warned against the divisions that marked the former leadership, stressing that unity among Teso legislators is vital for achieving meaningful development in the sub-region while prioritizing the issues of the people despite their different political parties.
“Be leaders that the population will be happy with, so that it makes them to sustain their legacy in your constituency and also secure confidence for other subsequent elections. It’s very important that at this stage where we are we Continue searching and researching ourselves so that we move in the right direction but also quite connected with the government so that they can welcome the programs positively and transform themselves,” Vice president said.
She urged them not to discriminate, especially the time when they are not in campaigns so that they get transformative messages.
