The newly appointed Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Betty Aol Ochan (Gulu Woman MP), has said she doesn’t know the yardstick used by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, to appoint her to replace Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza.
However, Aol said issues of empowerment of women, experience as well as her good relationship with the electorate back home and his clique of party faithfuls could have forced Amuriat to appoint her.
Ms Achan made the statements this morning when appearing on NBS TV’s current affairs program, the Morning Breeze.
She said her appointment was not out of loyalty to Amuriat. “We are all loyal to our president but why did they zero on me,” she asked.
Asked whether she supports Dr. Col. Besigye’s defiance campaign, Aol said she would participate in the campaign as long it is for the good course.
Days ago Amuriat who defended his recent reshuffle, said that naming Betty Aol was not his first option as there was an MP who declined before coming up with Aol’s name. He said that their first option for LoP position declined to take up the challenging, but juicy position that comes with many privileges such as hefty allowances and extended security among others.
“An MP rejected the position of Leader of Opposition, and he had his own reasons. We’ve had a lot of consultation, and work done in so many months. But it’s on record that we talked to everyone before a decision was taken to reshuffle,” he said.
Aol who said she once served as the Deputy opposition Chief Whip is ready for the work ahead of her, despite concerns in some sections of the public that she might not be able to do the job as expected.
Aol said she would embark on mobilization of FDC supporters countrywide, as one of her activities to counter the NRM strengthen.
She said she would work for the unity of the FDC members. “We really need to be at peace at doing the work,” she said, stating that dialogue will be one of those endeavours during her term of office.
She said she would continue to add her efforts in the education and health in the framework of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Aol serving parliament for the third term and hopes her experience will help her deliver as expected of her.
Last week, Amuriat in consultation with the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to replace Kiiza as LoP ahead of the expiration of her two and half year tenure in December this year. Amuriat retained Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda as Opposition Chief Whip, appointed Tonny Muhindo as deputy chief whip, named Francis Mwijukye as commissioner among others. In the committees, Amuriat appointed Nathan Nandala Mafabi as PAC chairperson, replacing Angeline Osegge, Abdu Katuntu was dropped for Mubarak Munyagwa as COSASE chair, deputized by Moses Kasibante who replaces Anita Among.
Amuriat days ago said that the changes he made were informed by factors such as loyalty, financial contribution and other details which he said are not for public consumption.