OTUKE, Uganda – Otuke District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Abeja Susan, has strongly defended her development record, dismissing allegations by two fellow legislators as politically motivated and lacking a factual basis.
The legislator responded to claims raised by Otuke East MP Hon. Acon Julius and Otuke County MP Hon. Omara Paul concerning her management of government programmes and development initiatives in the district.
Speaking in a comprehensive rebuttal, Abeja insisted that public concerns involving government programmes should be addressed through facts, records and evidence rather than political statements.
On the allegation that she received Shs100 million for 50,000 coffee seedlings but failed to distribute them, Abeja provided documentation showing that the seedlings were procured and distributed to farmers on April 26, 2025, at Awonaluk Village in Barjobi Sub-county.
She disclosed that the distribution exercise was witnessed by the Resident District Commissioner, district production officials, agricultural officers, religious leaders and other local leaders, with more than 500 farmers from Otuke and Kwania participating.
Abeja further revealed that the two MPs who raised the allegations had been invited to the exercise but did not attend, adding that the Personal Assistant to Hon. Acon Julius was among those who received seedlings.
Rejecting claims that she had personalised an agricultural tractor, Abeja explained that she had lobbied the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for the machine to support farmers in Otuke.
According to the Woman MP, the tractor is currently managed by the Otuke Women Farmer Association, headed by Obua Joe, with farmers contributing Shs80,000 per acre towards its use, management and maintenance.
Addressing claims surrounding a community borehole at Awonaluk Village, Abeja acknowledged Hon. Acon Julius and the Love Mercy Project for initiating the facility. However, she noted that the borehole later became non-functional before she intervened to support its rehabilitation.
“Solar equipment was subsequently added, enabling the facility to resume supplying water for domestic use and irrigation,” she said.
“Development should not become a competition over who gets the credit. What matters is whether the people have water,” Abeja added.
Regarding the Presidential Demonstration Garden in Barlegi Village, Abeja maintained that her appointment as a Commissioner of Parliament has not stopped her involvement in agriculture and presidential development initiatives.
She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting programmes aimed at improving agricultural production and household livelihoods in Otuke.
The legislator highlighted several interventions she says she has supported in Otuke and the wider Lango sub-region, including:
· Distribution of 45,000 hoes
· Support involving maize
· Distribution of banana suckers to more than 10,000 households
· Provision of community tents
· Distribution of 5,000 chicks
· Cassava planting materials
· Support towards an ambulance
· Financial support to women’s groups, including Shs100,000 per village across 519 villages
· Support ranging between Shs300,000 and Shs500,000 to boda-boda stages
Abeja said these interventions should not be viewed as personal achievements but as part of her contribution towards improving livelihoods and community welfare.
The Otuke Woman MP urged political leaders in the district to avoid allowing political disagreements to undermine development.
She said she respects her fellow MPs despite differences in approach and called for evidence-based scrutiny whenever questions arise over public resources.
Abeja also referred to her involvement in recovering Shs22.316 million during the recent LC1 elections, saying the recovery exercise involved several security and district officials.
She alleged that her role in the recovery exercise may have contributed to some of the current political disagreements, but stressed that leaders should remain committed to fighting corruption.
Looking ahead, Abeja announced plans to focus on a children’s feeding programme in primary schools across Otuke District.
She invited fellow MPs in the district, regardless of their political differences, to join efforts aimed at improving agricultural production, supporting farmers and addressing the welfare of children.
“I remain open to scrutiny of my programmes,” Abeja stated, challenging anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to present it through the appropriate accountability channels.
She maintained that her focus remains on serving the people of Otuke and contributing to development in the wider Lango region.
