Pallisa, Uganda | Farmers in Pallisa District have reason to be optimistic after Gogonyo County Member of Parliament, Hon. Derrick Orone secured two influential leadership positions within his first week in the 12th Parliament.
Orone, who also serves as the NRM Chairperson for Pallisa District, has been appointed NRM Caucus Publicity Secretary and Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The appointments were confirmed as Parliament constituted the NRM Caucus leadership and sectoral committees in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
Within the NRM Caucus, Orone will serve alongside Hon. Isaac Ismail Otimgiu as Vice Chairperson, Hon. Brenda Namukuta as General Secretary and Hon. Hope Grania Nakazibwe as Treasurer.
In Parliament, he will deputise Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, the Mawokota North MP, on the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, one of the House’s most influential committees because of its oversight over the country’s agricultural sector.
Parliament also constituted other committees, with Hon. Paka chairing the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, Hon. Robina Rwakoojo heading the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, Hon. Dennis Namara leading the Committee on East African Community Affairs, Hon. Maximus Ochai chairing the Finance Committee, Hon. Herbert Ariko heading the Committee on Public Service and Local Government, and Hon. Laura Kanushu leading the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Pallisa District’s economy, with the majority of households relying on crop and livestock farming for their livelihoods.
Orone’s appointment to the Agriculture Committee is expected to give the district a stronger voice in discussions on agricultural policies, funding, and oversight.
The committee oversees the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), and other agencies responsible for agricultural policy, research and implementation.
As Vice Chairperson, Orone will help steer committee deliberations, oversee government programmes, participate in field oversight visits, and contribute to recommendations presented before Parliament.
Residents hope his new position will help push issues affecting farmers in Bukedi Sub-region, including post-harvest losses, high input costs, livestock diseases, irrigation, and market access.
Beyond his committee role, Orone will also serve as the NRM Caucus Publicity Secretary, where he will be responsible for communicating the ruling party’s legislative agenda, explaining government programmes and articulating the caucus’ position on key national issues.
The dual appointment places him at the intersection of policy formulation and public communication, giving him an opportunity to influence legislation while also engaging the public on government priorities.
Political analysts say the appointments reflect the NRM’s growing confidence in younger legislators to take on both leadership and technical responsibilities within Parliament.
Attention will now turn to the Agriculture Committee’s work during the current parliamentary session, with expected priorities including implementation of the Parish Development Model, agricultural financing, fertiliser subsidies, coffee and dairy sector reforms, irrigation expansion and climate-smart agriculture.
For the people of Gogonyo and Pallisa District, expectations are high that Orone’s appointments will translate into improved agricultural services, better rural infrastructure, enhanced extension support, and stronger interventions to improve farmers’ incomes.
Barely a week into the life of the 12th Parliament, Orone has assumed two significant national responsibilities. The challenge ahead will be converting those positions into measurable benefits for the people he represents.