MPs attack Latigo for stand on Apaa women

Prof Ogenga Latigo reacts to accusations against him by fellow leaders from Acholi sub-region during the Monday meeting in Gulu. Photo by Julius Ocungi

GULU- MPs from Acholi sub-region have criticised former Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Agago MP Prof Ogenga Latigo for condemning nude protests staged by elderly women in Apaa Parish, Amuru District last month.

The elderly women staged the nude protest before Internal Affairs minister Aronda Nyakairima and Lands minister Daudi Migereko over boundary demarcation between Amuru and Adjumani districts.

Their actions, however, elicited mixed reactions from the public and condemnation from Acholi cultural head Rwot David Onen Acana II and other political leaders within the region, including Prof Latigo.

Prof Latigo described the nude protests by the elderly women as “shameful and a disgrace to the Acholi tradition”.

During a Monday meeting of Acholi leaders convened to discuss the Apaa border demarcation and land conflicts in the sub-region held in Gulu town, most of the legislators described Prof Latigo’s move to attack the elderly women in media as outrageous.

The meeting which was organised by Acholi Leadership Forum attracted political, religious and cultural leaders from the sub-region.

Its core aim was to find lasting solutions and how the leaders can stand in jointly to solve land-related conflicts.

Acholi Parliamentary Group chairperson Reagan Okumu accused Prof Latigo of rushing to condemn the women who were vulnerable and had no mechanism to defend themselves well knowing that their land was going to be taken.

Rwot Yusuf Adek, the chief of Pawel Clan, agreed with the MPs arguing that the path Prof Ogenga took wasn’t traditional. He said an Acholi who understands the pain the women went through to the extent of going nude, would not condemn what they did.

Prof Latigo, however, remained unremorseful on what he expressed in his article. “I am ready to face it and let anybody confront me about it,” Prof Latigo said.