By Cedrick Mwesigwa.
Veteran journalist Charles Odongtho will be the next 12th parliament communications and public affairs director, a docket that has been under an explosive Chris Obore, Blazer News Times can exclusively report.
Odongtho according to reliable sources came into an equation following his proximate relationship with the current speaker Markson Jacob Oboth-Oboth who now heads the legislative arm of the government.
Odongtho’s relationship with Oboth-Oboth dated back from the previous parliament until recent time of his speakership bid that put Nobert Mao’s dream of getting picked to head the 12th parliament out of action.
It is understood that Odongtho was the chief strategist of Oboth -Oboth’s speakership media campaign that culminated into his current status, after the ejection of NRM strong woman incumbent Annet Anita Among who was forced out of the race.
Among’s forced exit was preceded by the time long siege of her Nakasero residence by the security forces, claiming she was under investigation in relation to the allegations of involvement in corruption dealings, although some unofficial accounts indicate that she had built a political base that threatened president Museveni’s posterity.
Since that time through speakership elections by the time this news report was compiled, Among has been under house arrest while not being able to freely move.
Odongtho’s new job approval according to sources will come to effect as soon as the parliamentary commission which is chaired by the speaker has been fully constituted to sit and conclude the matter.
Once that process has been satisfied, Odongtho impliedly will be replacing the village boy from Bukedea(Obore) whom sources say faces demotion and relegation.
Obore as one of Among’s diehards had commanded loyalty to the point of backing her irrational decision that resulted into blockage of independent journalists from covering parliament.
Sources say that there is growing uncertainty among several parliament staff whose contracts are pending consideration of renewal after Among’ departure from the seat.
They described Odongtho as creative and multipurpose being one of the brains behind the rebranding of UBC and innovation of the NBS TV Frontline political talk show.
He formally worked with NMG’s Daily Monitor, KFM Radio and NTV before crossing over to the NBS, UBC and OPM as a Communications officer.
He is also a lawyer. Email: editorial@blazernewstimes.com.
