Uganda: Ambassador Otunnu Urges Unity And Development
By Okumu Langol Livingstone Photos: YouTube Screenshots Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Dr. Olara Otunnu called for unity, inclusive leadership, and economic transformation in Acholi during the inauguration of the new Omoro District Council on Tuesday. Speaking as chief guest at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected district leaders at Omoro District Headquarters, Otunnu warned that continued political infighting could undermine development efforts in the district and across the Acholi sub-region. “Any society that continues bickering is doomed,” Otunnu said, urging political leaders to move beyond election rivalries and focus on governance and service delivery. Without directly referring to ongoing tensions among opposition political groups, Otunnu emphasized that political competition should end after elections and give way to cooperation. “I have witnessed in the United States how Democrats and Republicans fight tooth and nail during campaigns,” he said. “But when they sit down to discuss national issues, you would not know they belong to different parties. They respect institutions and support leaders who have been sworn into office.” Otunnu urged the new Omoro District leadership to ensure fairness in the distribution of public resources and to govern inclusively. “No one in this district should be left behind,” he said. The former diplomat also reflected on the historical prominence of the Acholi sub-region, noting that it once ranked among Uganda’s leading regions in education, agriculture, and public service. “This region was once among the backbone areas of Uganda’s economic and educational development,” he said. “But today we are no longer where we used to be. We must work together to restore that legacy.” Otunnu argued that long-term economic recovery in Acholi would require a shift toward commercial and perennial agriculture. He encouraged residents to expand beyond traditional crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, and soybeans, and invest in crops including coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other long-term cash crops. According to Otunnu, agricultural transformation would help families pay school fees, improve housing, and reduce poverty across the sub-region. “Education is the foundation of success,” he said. “If we strengthen household incomes, families will once again be able to educate their children and build stronger communities.” During his speech, Otunnu also highlighted the historical contributions of prominent professionals, civil servants, educators, engineers, and administrators from Omoro and the wider Acholi region, arguing that the district has a strong legacy of national leadership that can be revived through unity and investment in education. He further called for a return to traditional Luo values centered on hard work, discipline, integrity, and communal responsibility. “What makes our culture special are the values our parents taught us,” Otunnu said. “We must restore those values if we want to rebuild our society and overcome poverty.” Newly sworn-in Omoro District Chairperson Andrew Okot Obibi pledged to work closely with councillors and civil servants to improve accountability and service delivery. “We do not have time for sleeping,” Okot said. “Public officials who fail to report to work are contributing to corruption, and we shall address that.” He also raised concerns about alleged irregularities in government cattle-restocking programs under Operation Wealth Creation, saying local leaders had received complaints that some officials were favoring relatives and political allies in beneficiary selection. Omoro County MP Hon. Okot Peter called on councillors to avoid factionalism and cooperate across political lines. “Fighting among ourselves will not help Omoro,” he said. “There is enough work for everyone if we focus on development.” He also expressed concern over crime levels in the district, citing reports that Omoro had previously ranked among the country’s highest districts for assault-related offenses. Omoro District Woman MP Hon. Catherine Lamwaka echoed Otunnu’s message of reconciliation and unity. Speaking on behalf of Omoro County MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, she urged leaders to put aside campaign divisions and focus on building the district. “Omoro is bigger than all of us,” Lamwaka said. “Let us leave behind political differences from the campaigns and work together for the future of our people.”
Black News 
By Okumu Langol Livingstone
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Dr. Olara Otunnu called for unity, inclusive leadership, and economic transformation in Acholi during the inauguration of the new Omoro District Council on Tuesday.
Speaking as chief guest at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected district leaders at Omoro District Headquarters, Otunnu warned that continued political infighting could undermine development efforts in the district and across the Acholi sub-region.
“Any society that continues bickering is doomed,” Otunnu said, urging political leaders to move beyond election rivalries and focus on governance and service delivery.
Without directly referring to ongoing tensions among opposition political groups, Otunnu emphasized that political competition should end after elections and give way to cooperation.
“I have witnessed in the United States how Democrats and Republicans fight tooth and nail during campaigns,” he said. “But when they sit down to discuss national issues, you would not know they belong to different parties. They respect institutions and support leaders who have been sworn into office.”
Otunnu urged the new Omoro District leadership to ensure fairness in the distribution of public resources and to govern inclusively.
“No one in this district should be left behind,” he said.
The former diplomat also reflected on the historical prominence of the Acholi sub-region, noting that it once ranked among Uganda’s leading regions in education, agriculture, and public service.
“This region was once among the backbone areas of Uganda’s economic and educational development,” he said. “But today we are no longer where we used to be. We must work together to restore that legacy.”
Otunnu argued that long-term economic recovery in Acholi would require a shift toward commercial and perennial agriculture. He encouraged residents to expand beyond traditional crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, and soybeans, and invest in crops including coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other long-term cash crops.
According to Otunnu, agricultural transformation would help families pay school fees, improve housing, and reduce poverty across the sub-region.
“Education is the foundation of success,” he said. “If we strengthen household incomes, families will once again be able to educate their children and build stronger communities.”
During his speech, Otunnu also highlighted the historical contributions of prominent professionals, civil servants, educators, engineers, and administrators from Omoro and the wider Acholi region, arguing that the district has a strong legacy of national leadership that can be revived through unity and investment in education.
He further called for a return to traditional Luo values centered on hard work, discipline, integrity, and communal responsibility.
“What makes our culture special are the values our parents taught us,” Otunnu said. “We must restore those values if we want to rebuild our society and overcome poverty.”
Newly sworn-in Omoro District Chairperson Andrew Okot Obibi pledged to work closely with councillors and civil servants to improve accountability and service delivery.
“We do not have time for sleeping,” Okot said. “Public officials who fail to report to work are contributing to corruption, and we shall address that.”
He also raised concerns about alleged irregularities in government cattle-restocking programs under Operation Wealth Creation, saying local leaders had received complaints that some officials were favoring relatives and political allies in beneficiary selection.
Omoro County MP Hon. Okot Peter called on councillors to avoid factionalism and cooperate across political lines.
“Fighting among ourselves will not help Omoro,” he said. “There is enough work for everyone if we focus on development.”
He also expressed concern over crime levels in the district, citing reports that Omoro had previously ranked among the country’s highest districts for assault-related offenses.
Omoro District Woman MP Hon. Catherine Lamwaka echoed Otunnu’s message of reconciliation and unity. Speaking on behalf of Omoro County MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, she urged leaders to put aside campaign divisions and focus on building the district.
“Omoro is bigger than all of us,” Lamwaka said. “Let us leave behind political differences from the campaigns and work together for the future of our people.”
