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The move by Parliament to hold regional parliamentary sittings has drawn mixed reactions among residents and leaders in Gulu District.

While the residents say this is a waste of resources that could have been used to address more pressing issues in the respective regions, Members of Parliament (MPs) from Gulu say it is a great opportunity for the regions as MPs will focus more on the issues affecting areas where the Parliament is sitting.

Parliament has budgeted to spend Shs20b for exercise with each regional sitting reportedly costing Shs5b. Gulu City will on August 29 and 30 host the first regional parliamentary sitting at the Kaunda Grounds in Bardege-Layibi Division. Other sittings will be held in the eastern, central, and western regions.

“I must say this is a total abuse to the people of Uganda. Imagine what Shs5 billion would do if it were to be channelled to service delivery. If we open roads, take medicines to hospitals and scholastic materials to schools, what if this money is diverted into doing things like technology? It would give better outcomes other than the MPs spending this money,’’ Mr Solomon Nokrach, the coordinator of Forum for Women in Democracy in Acholi Sub-region said.

Mr Geoffrey Opiyo, a farmer in Nwoya District, said the regional parliamentary sitting will not help the local people.

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