The Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Acana II has appointed Counsel Stella Kajange Lagiri as the new Kingdom's Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
The much awaited appointment will see Stella take the role of protecting, promoting the rights of the vulnerable population, addressing gender inequalities, ensuring cultural growth, labour and employment as well as community mobilization and empowerment for Acholi.
The new minister is a trained lawyer who served as a clerkship at Attorney General's Chambers at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Executive Director of Equal Empowerment Network (EENet). She is currently working with Nwoya District Land Board.
She replaced Mrs Okot Taa, the former Minister for Gender after the position was vacant for a period of time.
Stella Kajange who is also a human rights defender was unveiled as the minister on Thursday at Acholi Inn Hotel, Gulu City during the launch of Acholi Cultural Festival 2024.
Rwot Acana has also appointed Lillian Atim as Minister of Tourism and Activities in the new cabinet.
In her maiden speech, Stella noted that the problem affecting the people of Acholi is poverty.
She said that mothers and teenage girls are the most affected ones and have lost their lives so much in the past years due to war that lasted for 20 years in Acholi.
She however called on Acholi people in the different parts of the world to turn up in large numbers for this year's celebration so that they see a way of rehabilitating and bringing development in Acholi.
Acholi Cultural Festival shall commence on December 12 up to 14, 2024 at Pece War Memorial Stadium.
