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Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has asked the Acholi sub-region to increase productivity as a tool to eradicate poverty and place the region on the right pedestal to prosperity.
Oulanyah said unlike the struggle against past insurgencies, the campaign against poverty can now be waged under the comfort of the prevailing peace.
“The fight we have today is against poverty so that we live a decent life and prosper; and this is not as difficult as the previous wars we have had to fight,” said Oulanyah.
He was the chief guest at the annual Acholi Cultural Day festival held at Kaunda grounds in Gulu on Saturday, 15 December 2018.
Oulanyah said through respecting the Paramount Chief, David Onen Acana as a uniting figure, the region is capable of marshaling what it takes to achieve prosperity.
His views matched those of Paramount Chief Acana, who said the cultural institution is burdened by those that shun work and waste time.
He criticized old farming practices which he said fuels poverty. “We survive on farming and animal production, but our farming is subsistence and cannot be a good way to generate income. People should be productive, respect their culture and change their attitude about work,” he said.
The Paramount Chief implored youth in the region to market best cultural practices and use it to spur tourism and attract capital to the region.
Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, NRM Deputy Secretary General Richard Todwong and Democratic Party President General Norbert Mao are among the dignitaries that graced the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/aPigHoVlnV
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_Ug) December 15, 2018
Deputy Speaker @JacobOulanyah says the Acholi sub region has to unite behind the cultural institution headed by Paramount Chief David Onen Acana & accelerate production to end poverty.
Oulanyah was Chief Guest at the annual Acholi Cultural festival held at Kaunda grounds in Gulu. pic.twitter.com/z7i2FgYXnz— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_Ug) December 15, 2018
The Acholi Cultural Festival, said Chiefdom Prime Minister Ambrose Oola, is intended to strengthen tourism and enrich local heritage.
The event brought together luminaries from the region, including Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, Democratic Party President General Norbert Mao and ruling National Resistance Movement Deputy Secretary General, Richard Todwong.
In a talk on the region’s history, Justice Owiny Dollo said there is need to revive Acholi culture through promoting local food and crafts.
He proposed an institution to teach preparation of local foods and “end food imperialism”, if the cultural practices are to transcend the current generation.
Oulanyah, who delivered a token from President Yoweri Museveni, warned the region against divisive politics, saying the Chiefdom’s interests can be best articulated under Paramount Chief Acana’s leadership.
