Wang OO Program (Fire Camp with our Elders)

ESHO Uganda in partnership with Global Youth Association appreciate all the support towards ‘Wang OO Program which took place on the 8^th October 2014 at Ker Kwaro Acholi,Gulu. The program was such a blessing to young people of Acholi as they got opportunity to share with their elders on cultural norms, social life, family, leadership and morals. Among the elders were: Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi Hon.Okin PP Ojara, Youth Minister Ker Kwaro Acholi,Hon.Okello, Elder Ambassador Mwaka, Elder Tom Lalobo,Pastor Janan Luom-Overseer of National Fellowship of Born Again Pentacostal Churches in Uganda,Elder Acellam Ongaya, Chairman LCV Gulu-Hon.Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, Woman MP Gulu-Hon.Aol Betty Ocan, Representaive from Summit Foundation,Unyama National Teachers’ College, Students from St. Patrick College, Acholi Parliamentary Group representative, Acholi in Diaspora and youths from the local communities of Gulu.

Key Messeges from Our Elders.

1.      Ambassador Mwaka: He is now 69 years old and have served in many Goverments, works, Ministries and Organizations. He has great collegues is service like Nyeko Pen Mogi-Chancillor Gulu University,Nyeko, Onono Onweng(Bishop of Kitgum Arcdiocese), at the time of independence(1962) there were only 6 million people in the whole of Uganda, Unversity of East Africa was the strongest at that time, he studied Primary education from Canon Lawrence National Teachers College and Literature at Makerere College,he was then appointed Minister of Forieghn affairs, he work hand in with George William Kakoma-The composer of Uganda National Anthem. Today, he is a Member in Poilce Authority,Member in the Governing Council of UNESCO, Chairman School Managemnet Committee Bwobanam Primary School. He is so passonate talking to young people of Acholi and guide them on the process of Uganda in regards to Acholi Cultural Norms and customs. In a research that was conducted by Vincent Olanya, it shows that Acholi are the highest education of the Uganda by 1962 but this is not the case now, why? Because we are not united. As a young person you must have a PLAN and work to achieve all those, think of all the 77 dishes Acholi people have and 8 Permanent Secretaries at the time of Independence, where have they gone? I request the Organizers to organize another day where could talk to our young people,….he said.

2.      Hon. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi:  For you to be a Hero, you must let yours be sharp than your mouth and think beyond today. If we see the past, our grands had thousand heads of cattle, thousand accres of land and thousand birds but, they donot exist today which means we have to change the way we view things-no more sleep but hard work. Lets change the way we do thinks in our culture. Historically, our grand parents laid a very good foundation but now it is swindling due to Party systems and influence, people tend to be asking useless questions other than listening to the messege. Fear has oppressed all cultural leaders and Acholi Political leaders. Consider Tom Mboya, a Jaluo in Kenya, he is so pronounced as well as all the Jaluo of Kenya why?Because of Education. Lets starts being solution oriented otherthan bitterness. Its now hard for you to live in Uganda id you don’t have (1)Knowledge (2)Mony/finance (3)Good heart.  Lets start thinking positively and we shouldn’t shut our gifts that God has given us to enble us move and utilize all the available opportunity.

3.      Pastor Janan Luom: In my own perspective, I see there is no love among the people of Acholi. We are known for telling the truth and it must continue. Our leaders in the Government have no vision for Acholi and they are so isolated today, they just wait when election is near then they start coming down with their waragi to confuse people. Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi should Organize a Forum that will bring all Acholi people and leaders to discuss “ACHOLI AGENDA”. There is no respect among boys and girls, elders and leaders. Youths are subjected to laziness. The Prime Minister should forward the voice of Religious leaders on the fight against Homosexuality. The important question to be answered is “How can Office of Ker Kwaro be relevant to the youths?”

YOUTHS Concerns to Ker Kwaro Acholi.

-          Humility be  embraced by the Prime Minister.

-          Certificate of Marriage.

-          Wife of the Paramount Chief of Acholi start training programs for women in Acholi.

-          Office of Youth Minister and Prime Minister should be the one calling youths not youths calling them like today.

-          Unitification of the 55 clans in Acholi Region.

-          Youth Minister should start implementing youth Programs as stipulated in the work plan.

-          Acholi Anthem be boost.

-          Initiation of environment Conservations programs like planting trees.

4.      Hon.Okin PP Ojara-Prime Minister Ker Kwaro Acholi:  He accepted youth concern and promised that people who are not fit to be in the Office shall be removed for the betterment of our Kingdom. The wife of the Paramount chief should start designing programs for women in Acholi, Marriage Certificate is awaiting Council meeting to be passed, Acholi Anthem be sung in all Acholi programs, youth minister to start implementing youths programs, planting trees should start with youths spearheading the program, Acholi should have one voice and should mandate Ker Kwaro Acholi to speak on their behaves instead of politicians. Conclusively, The Organizing Committee Team should come to his Office so that he can schedule appointment with the Paramount Chief of Acholi. You are all welcome to Ker Kwaro Acholi and its your Palace, feel  free once you are in the Palace.