SIX KARAMOJA MPs USE THEIR LIPS FOR WRONG JOB?

East Africa’s biggest tabloid The Red Pepper will never stop tickling its audience with bitter facts in this Country. The latest lead story “200 TOP SLEEPY MPs NAMED” published yesterday Saturday 3^rd caught special attention of this blog.

Boy, whatever the victims think, I want to reiterate that this story holds a lot of water and it’s certainly one of those sensible-but painful items The Red Pepper has been illuminating without trepidation. The story dissected the house into two; those who open their lips only when “kissing, yawning or eating” and “the Best MPs” – those who contribute to house debates as required.

For purposes of appealing to my immediate audience back home, tolerate me girl. Let me cross. Let me comment on the situation of MPs from Karamoja region for today.

While I agree with the story overall, somewhere the story put a few devils in the right place. I hope MPs didn’t pay part of the Kyamkwanzi resolution cash to the snoop who did the wood-work so that their names are fixed where they otherwise would not qualify to be. I hope not.

Regrettably, six MPs from Karamoja were listed under the silent, sleepy group whose lips can only “eat, yawn and kiss”. They include; Terence Achia (Bokora County), Margeret Aleper (Kotido woman), Margeret Iriama (Moroto), Rose Iriama (Nakapiripirit), Micha Lolem (Upe County) and the one and only -Peter Abrahams Lokii (Jie).

In order to understand the above legislators squarely, let’s put them into perspective considering what their electorates can do or what they (MPs) can do in response to this dangerous charge from the fourth estate.

In Bokora, Mr Achia who has been in parliament since 2006 is aware of the no –nonsense G-8 coalition in that County. Despite his vast experience and knowledge deposit, Lawrence might face a Mt. Everest race in 2016 for two key reasons. He has eaten for long. His enjoyments habit has hugely leaked to a large number of electorates who might decide on another sober member of the G-8 to take up the responsibility. Thus, much as he has the brain and mouth to easily rubbish The Red Pepper revelation, greedy opponents are capable of using the story against him.

As for Margaret Aleper (Kotido Woman), the roots she built for close to 10 years since 2006 could not easily be uprooted if only she planned some few words to contribute even at committee level sessions in parliament. My worry with Margaret is the Jie voters are so mouthy. This sad news might spread like wild fire and burn many of her planted seeds before 2016. However, she needs just to keep enough money and copy the Peters’ Abrahams and Lokeris style. Short of this, there will be tears in Kotido.

The name of Margeret Iriama (Moroto Woman) should have been sheltered carefully because vote hunting in Matheniko nowadays is increasingly becoming a rock. With more ambitious women jealously and continuously eyeing the position, I thought Mama Iriama could have done better in this first term in the house. Her sympathizers say being a teacher she has a big network. She is also lucky because local political analysts believe her chief rival lives far away from home and only jets in after five years. True or False? I know none.

In Nakapiripirit, Rose Iriama might stay well quiet because she believes in what she saw with her two eyes at the neighborhood. She saw an old man wooing voters using envelops and mere cheap drinks. Above all she is among the MPs who think newspaper readership starts and ends in Kampala. Iriama has two advantages; she has about a decade savings from parliament and she is independent. I wish you victory again in 2016 madam, but teach your lips how to speak too.

In Kotido, there is this common talk that -history will be made if Peter Abrahams goes back to parliament in 2016. Remember Abrahams is the second longest serving Karamoja MP currently. He has never been minister like his colleague - Karamoja’s longest serving (state) minister. One man who can talk you out easily is Abrahams. I once interviewed him and he loves to speak a lot. The only bad thing is liars also speak a lot. Other factors held constant, The Red Pepper fact will haunt Abrahams unless…Oh I know he is good at wording off!

Without saying anything about Micha Lolem (Upe) who served even in the 7^th parliament, let me get down now and give credit where it is due!

To round up, Aleper Simon (Moroto Municipality) and Dr John Baptist Lokii (Matheniko) made names during time of the bad roads. Then, the duo had openly promised to divorce the NRM regime. However, their attempt prompted posh planned visits alongside the president to New York and to Adis Ababa. After this ‘global tour’ reward. The only twin voices for Karamoja died a natural death till tomorrow. I hope our boys will function again like before. But ASPRO and Dr are vocal and promising legislators for Karamoja to say the least. Dear voters, may we rally behind them in 2016?

Finally, I innocently want to congratulate MPs of Abim district for making it to the right group. In a special but natural way, I want to talk about this other one legislator. His car is humble. His heart is sympathetic and searching continuously for the needy. He is a good governance advocate. He will not grow rich because he has shared it all with his electorates. Boy, I do not eat anything and I need nothing, but credit must be given where it is due! I will spend another day to describe the current MP for Labwor County. Michael Ayepa. Meantime, let’s believe in The Red Pepper.