The Acholi community’s largest gathering this year named “Gure me Pongdwongo,” has commenced at Sir Samuel Baker School in Gulu city. This event, spearheaded by former presidential candidate Olara Otunu and Chief Justice Owiny Dollo, aims to review and restore the Acholi people’s cultural heritage and address challenges stemming from the aftermath of the Lord’s Resistance Army civil war.
During the three-day event’s launch, Gulu Catholic Archbishop John Baptist Odama emphasized the importance of utilizing “Gurre me Pongdwongo” as a platform to promote peace and find solutions to the myriad challenges faced by the Acholi people, particularly in the wake of over two decades of insurgency. Archbishop Odama expressed gratitude to the organizers and encouraged the community to reflect on their past as part of the gathering’s purpose.
Chief Justice Owiny Dollo likened the gathering to a funeral, highlighting the persistent challenges the Acholi have faced since President Idi Amin’s era. He underscored the need to revitalize the Acholi culture, noting the disparity between past and present Acholi generations. Dollo urged a reevaluation of reports, such as those from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, placing Acholi among the country’s poorest and least educated, and called for proactive measures to address these issues.
Dollo rebuked the perception that there are no solutions to Acholi’s problems, citing global examples of regions overcoming adversity. He called on the community to combat challenges like alcoholism and laziness, urging collective effort to foster development.
Olara Otunu expressed optimism about the Acholi overcoming challenges, pointing to past influential leaders who worked towards the region’s development. He questioned the absence of such figures today and emphasized the community’s potential to address its current struggles.
Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga suggested that the “Gurre me Pongdwongo” gathering should become an annual event, focusing on preserving Acholi culture and norms while identifying strategies for improvement.
