Jonam MP Urges Parliament to Prioritize West Nile Infrastructure Development

Marshall Alenyo, the Member of Parliament for Jonam County, has brought pressing infrastructure and development issues in the West Nile region to the forefront of parliamentary discussion. During a session on August 17, Alenyo stressed the urgent need to upgrade the Pakwach-Nebbi highway, asserting that its improved condition would significantly boost economic activity.

“If this road is made, the people of Jonam will be able to sell onang-nang in Fataki. We shall be able to sell onang-nang in Embokolo, and our economy will rise,” Alenyo stated, illustrating the direct impact of better connectivity on local commerce.

Beyond transportation, the MP shed light on the dire state of healthcare facilities. He revealed that the main Health Centre IV in Pakwach lacks essential services, including a mortuary and an ambulance. Furthermore, he pointed out the scandalous absence of a male ward, forcing male patients to share facilities with females.

Alenyo also addressed the long-standing grievances of the Jonam people concerning the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). He noted that ancestral lands, including those that once housed significant historical sites like Rotkuba’s palace and the foundation of Paraa Safari Lodge, were ceded for national parks. However, he expressed deep concern that wildlife often receives preferential treatment over the local population.

In a call for greater investment in youth development, Alenyo advocated for the construction of a national-level stadium in West Nile. He highlighted the recent success of young athletes from Pakwach qualifying for the top league and proposed a stadium as a fitting tribute to the legacy of Moses Ali, a former Fufa president, to nurture local sporting talent.

This plea by MP Alenyo underscores the multifaceted developmental challenges facing the West Nile region and calls for concerted parliamentary action. https://observer.ug/news/jonam-mp-rallies-parliament-to-improve-west-nile-infrastructure