Agency
In a spirited gathering at Patongo Akwee Primary School playground, Agago District, on December 9, 2024, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and Ambassador Olara Otunnu called on the Acholi community to unite and restore their cultural heritage.
They addressed issues such as poverty, declining education standards, and moral decay, emphasizing the need for collective action.
The event was part of the “Gure Me Pongdwongo” initiative, launched in December 2023 to revitalize Acholi culture and address socio-economic challenges.
Owiny-Dollo stressed the importance of clans in preserving culture, stating, “Clans are the bedrock of our heritage.
They hold the power to sustain our identity more than any other institution.”
He warned that divisions among chiefs in Ker Kwaro Acholi could hinder progress, emphasizing that “cultural revival does not recognize political parties; it requires unity.”
He also criticized the declining education standards in Acholi and announced plans to sponsor talented students through the Acholi Education Fund.
State Minister Beatrice Akello Akori condemned the impact of alcoholism, calling it a “significant factor hindering development and increasing poverty.” Ambassador Otunnu highlighted the challenges of poverty, theft, jealousy, and moral decay, describing them as obstacles to cultural revival.
