Gulu City is buzzing with excitement as Members of Parliament (MPs) and other stakeholders converge for the inaugural regional parliament sitting, set to take place from August 28 to 30, 2024.
This landmark event has sparked a flurry of activity, including street clean-ups and infrastructure improvements, as the city eagerly prepares for the occasion.
In the days leading up to the sitting, Gulu has undergone a remarkable transformation. Overgrown areas have been neatly trimmed, and the streets are cleaner than ever.
The usual hustle and bustle near the event venue have subsided as truck drivers and timber dealers have relocated, making way for the parliamentarians and other guests.
For the people of Gulu, this event symbolizes more than just a parliamentary session—it represents a chance to reconnect with the rest of the country.
Northern Uganda, still recovering from the devastation of war, has often felt isolated from national development.
The conflict left behind a legacy of poverty, disease, unemployment, and limited access to education.
This sitting offers an opportunity to address these longstanding issues and bring about meaningful change in the region.
Local leaders have rallied together, emphasizing unity as they prepare to host the parliament. The town is abuzz with conversations about the potential benefits and challenges the event might bring.
On the economic front, there has already been a noticeable uptick in activity.
Cab drivers, boda-boda riders, food vendors, suppliers, and hotel owners are experiencing a surge in business as visitors flood into the city.
Restaurants are busier than ever, and local businesses are thriving. Hotels have adorned the streets with posters welcoming Parliament to Gulu, adding to the general sense of excitement in the air.
For those residents eager to witness the plenary sessions in person, arrangements have been made to follow the proceedings from designated areas outside the parliament precincts.
The event’s program is packed with significant activities. On August 27, Speaker Anita Among will visit Lalogi Village in Omoro District to pay her respects to the late Jacob Oulanyah, the former Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament.
The day will also see the official opening of medical camps at Pece P.7 School and Gulu Prisons P.7 School, tree-planting ceremonies, and meetings with local groups, including the boda-boda riders’ association and market women’s groups.
The medical camp, running from August 26 to 31, will offer free services to the community, including Hepatitis B testing, health education, nutrition and wellness talks, blood pressure check-ups, consultations, diabetes screenings, and fitness sessions.
Beyond the immediate economic boost, there is hope that this sitting could lead to more significant changes for the region.
Locals have been calling into radio stations, urging their leaders to address pressing issues during the plenary sessions.
The community is optimistic that the discussions will lead to concrete solutions for the problems they face.
On August 29, President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to address Members of Parliament and the nation on a wide range of issues, marking a pivotal moment for the region.
For Gulu, this event is a source of pride and a symbol of possibility. The people are ready to seize this opportunity to showcase what the region has to offer and work towards a brighter future.
Following Gulu’s lead, similar regional sittings will be held in the east, west, and central parts of the country, continuing the effort to bring Parliament closer to the people.
