Ebong Michael

Kampala, Uganda | Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has appointed Lira-based advocate Patrick Okwir as a Commissioner for Oaths, empowering him to administer all oaths across Uganda. The appointment, made on September 10, 2025, was gazetted on September 26, 2025, under the Advocates (Commissioners for Oaths) Act. The law provides that only advocates who have practiced for at least three years, with proven integrity both in the courts of law and in society, may be considered for the role. Okwir, who has been in legal practice for seven years, will now handle statutory declarations, affidavits, and other oath-related duties. His appointment comes at a critical time, as the electoral season approaches and the law requires nomination forms for political aspirants, including Members of Parliament, to be duly commissioned. Beyond his legal career, Okwir has also played an active role in local politics, currently serving as a Workers’ Councillor in Lira City Council. He has expressed interest in returning to the council and later vying for a parliamentary seat in 2031, with the long-term ambition of joining the High Court bench as a judge. Source

Alebtong, Uganda | The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Alebtong, Mathias Lutwama, has announced new annual allocations by President Yoweri Museveni aimed at strengthening the operations of the Parish Development Model (PDM). While addressing 11 enterprise groups in Adwir Parish, Lutwama revealed that starting in October 2025, all PDM SACCO leaders across the country would receive UGX 1 million annually to enhance transparency and efficiency in managing revolving funds. He further reminded parish chiefs of their obligation to reside within their deployment areas for effective supervision of PDM activities. To support this, he explained that each parish chief was already receiving a UGX 100,000 monthly housing allowance, a facilitation initiated under the President’s directive. Lutwama also emphasized the central role of Parish Development Committees (PDCs) in planning and prioritizing agricultural enterprises. He disclosed that, beginning October 2025, PDCs would equally benefit from an annual Shs 1 million allocation to strengthen their planning capacity. He noted that the Parish Development Model was progressing well and said that the new allocations reflected President Museveni’s commitment to empowering structures at the grassroots for sustainable economic growth. He further pointed out that in his one year and 21 days of service in Alebtong, he had already traversed 40 parishes to monitor implementation. Other leaders present included the Assistant RDC of Alebtong, Okello Jimmy, who gave guidance on production and storage practices, and LC3 Chairperson of Adwir Subcounty, Francis Abwang, who stressed the importance of a grassroots-based approach in implementing the NRM manifesto. The Parish Development Model, one of the NRM government’s flagship poverty eradication initiatives, is designed to transition 39% of subsistence households into the money economy through parish-level enterprise development and community planning. Source

Otuke, Uganda | Orum Senior Secondary School has successfully elected a new Parents Teachers Association (PTA) executive committee, ending a two-year leadership vacuum that had left a gap in the school’s governance and development. The election, held on Thursday, 25 September 2025, in the school hall, coincided with the institution’s Annual General Meeting. None of the outgoing PTA leaders, whose term ended in 2023, attended the meeting. The new PTA leadership comprised of Enyang Alex (Chairperson), Otim Robert (Vice Chairperson), Rev. Quirino Oyera (Treasurer), Ogwang Benson (Representative for Ogwete & Olilim Subcounties), Akello Molly (Representative for Otuke and Alebtong Districts), Obua Steven (Representative for Lira, Apac and Dokolo Districts), Okwir Alex (Representative for Acholi Subregion), and Odwar Bonny Odwar & Acola Sarah (Teacher’s Representative). Thomas Ojok, Chairperson of Board of Governors who presided over the polls, said the exercise was peaceful and transparent, noting that all candidates went unopposed and no cases of irregularities were recorded. Otuke District Education Officer Acheng Lucy urged the new executive to prioritize supporting school development projects, stressing that their cooperation would be key in achieving Orum SS’s long-term goals. Representing the LCV Chairperson, Kamara George Oyang, who also serve as Secretary for Health and Education in Otuke District, called on the committee to embrace teamwork, remain committed to their roles, and put the interests of the school above personal gain. Assistant RDC Jonathan Joe Kiria said the absence of a PTA committee had slowed down some development initiatives at the school. He congratulated the new team, expressing confidence that their election would restore effective operations. He also appealed to parents to keep their children in school, adding that President Yoweri Museveni’s government remained committed to strengthening education across the country. Parents present at the meeting applauded the peaceful election and welcomed the new committee. They pledged to work hand in hand with the executive to improve the welfare of both students and staff. Orum Senior Secondary School currently has an enrollment of more than 600 students, with 548 already reported for third term. The teaching staff totals 24, of whom 17 are on the government payroll, while seven are supported by the PTA. Source

Lira, Uganda | The Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) 5th Division, Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi has declared that Lango Subregion is now free from Karamojong cattle raids following a year of intensified military operations. Lango Cultural Institution Leaders Gather for a Group With Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi at Lango Cultural Centre on Thursday, 25 September 2025 Addressing the council of clan chiefs (Owitong) on Thursday, 25 September, at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City, Gen. Katungi said no livestock had been stolen from Lango since his deployment in May 2023. He explained that the only two recent raid attempts in Otuke and Alebtong districts ended in failure. He told the gathering that the first group of rustlers had been killed by the UPDF, while in the second attempt, the cattle they had tried to raid away became exhausted and were abandoned. The commander said UPDF forces had sealed off Abim District to block warriors from entering Lango in through Otuke and Alebtong Districts. He credited the success to a direct assignment from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, noting that “the major task of securing Lango from Karamojong has been completed.” Gen. Katungi, however, acknowledged rising cases of theft by unemployed youth, many of whom are drug addicts raiding people’s gardens for food crops, including sorghum. He attributed this to thin police deployment and said President Museveni had already instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba to deploy 18 officers per subcounty to strengthen law enforcement. He further urged the people of Lango to remain united across political and religious lines when engaging with government. He advised NRM supporters not to confront UPC leader Jimmy James Michael Akena and his followers, stressing the need for harmony if the region is to benefit from presidential programmes. The meeting, convened by the office of the Paramount Chief through the Minister for Government Liaison under the Lango Cultural Institution (LCI), brought together clan leaders from across the region. It comes ahead of President Museveni’s campaign tour of Lango, expected in the first week of October, as preparations intensify for the January 2026 presidential elections. Jurubabel Opio Okori, Adok Oyengowoo Clan Chief and Minister for Lands under Lango Cultural Institution, praised Museveni as a “God-fearing leader who values peace” and rejected homosexuality. He urged the people of Lango to support him in 2026 while requesting tractors, agro-processing factories, and improved seeds to boost agriculture in the region. He also appealed for recognition of Jimmy Akena, son of former President Milton Obote, saying the president should not neglect him. Canon Richard Ogwang Odyero, Clan Chief of Ogora Clan and Minister for Government Liaison under the Lango Cultural Institution, thanked Gen. Katungi for restoring security and asked that he be maintained in the region. He further appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to honour Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) Emeritus Yosam Odur Ebii for his role in preserving Lango culture. Willy Omodo Omodo, Speaker of the Lango Cultural Institution, echoed the call, urging Museveni to personally meet Yosam Odur and ensure he lives in dignity after years of service as Paramount Chief. Proscovia Ayo Otyek, Assistant RDC for Lira District and spokesperson for Agong Foundation Ltd, presented a written memo to Gen. Katungi. She said the foundation, led by Margaret Odongo, wife of the Paramount Chief, plans to organise a youth boot camp in December 2025 during the third term school holidays. The programme will focus on women’s empowerment, addressing teenage pregnancies, among others. She also appealed for financial support to strengthen the foundation’s SACCO, which she said is crucial for economic empowerment in Lango. Source

Okwir Haron Otuke, Uganda | District leaders in Otuke have been directed to mobilize parents to ensure children return to school, following widespread closures caused by an ongoing teachers’ strike. The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Erick Masiga, warned that teachers and head teachers who continue to deny learners access to education will face strict action. Speaking at a District Internal Security Meeting on 24 September, Masiga said his survey revealed numerous schools in the district have remained closed, with head teachers allegedly locking premises in solidarity with the strike. The industrial action, led by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), is driven by longstanding salary disparities. UNATU General Secretary Filbert Baguma explained that the strike follows three years of unsuccessful negotiations with the government. Jasper Okengo, LCIII Chairperson of Ogor Subcounty, noted that pupils are ready to return to school and said local leaders will monitor and report schools that fail to conduct lessons. In Barjobi Subcounty, LCIII Chairperson Daniel Ojok Aruca highlighted the social impact of keeping children at home, warning that idle children contribute to community problems. John Bosco Olwit, a local leader, added that in his area, teaching continues at Okwongo Primary School, but teachers face pressure from UNATU, affecting their ability to focus on lessons. Otuke LCV Chairperson Francis Abola proposed that head teachers be summoned and ordered to resume teaching, warning that those failing to return by 30 September will be deemed to have abandoned their duties. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) James Ingoi urged district leaders to enforce the Education Act, emphasizing that local leaders should actively engage with schools to ensure children return to learning. Assistant RDC Isaac Opio Opeo recommended “Baraza” meetings to address the strike and accused local UNATU leaders of perpetuating the industrial action. RDC Masiga stressed that teachers and head teachers have no mandate to deny learners their right to education. He added that Otuke’s education performance is currently poor and called on leaders to act decisively. Parents were urged not to support the strike but to continue sending their children to school, with Masiga emphasizing that education is a shared responsibility. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | The nationwide teachers’ strike demanding salary enhancements has entered its second week, paralysing learning in government-aided schools across Uganda as negotiations with the government stall. Joseph Omiat, chairperson of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) in Dokolo District, confirmed that teachers would remain at home until their demands are addressed. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday September 24, in Dokolo Town Council, Omiat explained that arts teachers wanted a 100% salary increase, arguing that government’s decision to raise science teachers’ salaries by 300% had created a sharp imbalance. He stressed that teachers would not return to class until the matter is resolved. Julius Peter Alikambo Ayoi, a teacher at Apewotneki Primary School in Dokolo, criticised Education Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni’s earlier remarks in which she reportedly said that arts teachers’ pay would only be reviewed if the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) secured victory in the next general election. He described the statement as unfair and politically insensitive. Leci Obura, a parent from Oyirogole Primary School in Kangai Sub-County, appealed to the government to improve teachers’ welfare so that children could resume classes during this critical promotional term. Other parents, including Evaline Okwir of Okwongodul Primary School and Jimmy Omoo from Adwila Primary School, said they feared the prolonged strike would cause poor academic performance, particularly for candidates preparing for final examinations. Santos Okuja, Secretary for Health and Education in Dokolo District Local Government, urged teachers to return to class as the government looked for ways to resolve the crisis. While the strike affects government schools, private institutions remain operational. Olwal George, a teacher at Obete Memorial School, explained that private educators had continued teaching despite earning less, saying they could not afford to suspend work. Ben Kumumanya, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, has taken a hard line cautioning teachers against resorting to strikes, saying such actions undermined service delivery and compromised students’ education. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has separately announced that the government planned to recruit 50,000 additional teachers to reduce the pupil-to-teacher ratio in public schools. He also reaffirmed his pledge to fully operationalise Universal Primary Education in his next term, saying the move would eliminate cases of extortion by administrators. For now, however, thousands of pupils remain stranded as the deadlock over teachers’ salaries continues, raising fears of long-term effects on Uganda’s education sector. Source

Lira, Uganda | Research has shown a sharp decline in open defecation across Lango following interventions by SNV through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project, which promotes the use of latrines and improved hygiene practices at household level. At a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, at Gracious Palace Hotel in Lira City, SNV Project Manager John Robert Okello said their three-year study revealed that most homes in Lango previously lacked latrines and residents relied on bushes for defecation. He noted that this has changed significantly due to awareness campaigns encouraging communities to dig pit latrines, which has improved health and sanitation standards in households. Okello added that the project also targets access to clean water, a gap that has long undermined hygiene in the region. He reported that in Lira, Alebtong, Dokolo, and Kole districts, water facility coverage has risen to 95%, compared with 75% before the WASH programme started. He said SNV is focusing on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), who often face the greatest barriers, including long distances to access water sources. The meeting, which brought together PWD representatives, highlighted the importance of inclusive sanitation. Amuge Judith Kevin, a disabled participant from Lira District, said latrine ownership is critical for health and dignity among PWD households. She urged SNV to extend opportunities by recruiting PWDs into its workforce, noting that many have the qualifications needed. From Dokolo District, Ayika Ketty said sensitisation of PWDs on the benefits of latrine use enhances community respect and promotes personal hygiene. She pledged to mobilise her peers to embrace the practice. Lira District PWD Chairperson Mathew Omara pointed out that most hospitals in the region lack disability-friendly toilets, leaving many patients stranded when seeking medical services. He further noted that many handwashing stations in social centres are not designed to cater for PWDs, calling for reforms to make them accessible. The WASH project has been credited with transforming sanitation and hygiene in Lango, but participants stressed that its long-term impact will depend on addressing gaps in disability inclusion and public infrastructure. Source

By Haron Okwir Otuke, Uganda | Confusion and lack of cooperation among leaders in the Lango sub-region have been blamed for the delayed rollout of President Museveni’s cattle rehabilitation programme, despite its successful implementation in Acholi and Teso. During a District Internal Security Committee meeting in Otuke on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, local leaders expressed frustration that Lango risks being left behind in a programme intended to restore livelihoods and end decades of cattle rustling–related claims. LCIII chairpersons, Resident District Commissioners, and security officials attended the meeting, where most welcomed the president’s proposal to compensate households with cattle as the most practical solution to war debt claims. Ogwete Sub-County chairperson Peter Okweda said the delays were a result of poor cooperation among leaders in the sub-region. He noted that while in Acholi and Teso the programme was already progressing well, Lango leaders were still dragging their feet. Okwongo Town Council chairperson John Bosco Olwit Da Gama also expressed disappointment with leaders who were still pursuing legal battles in court. He said this was unnecessary since President Museveni had already clarified during a meeting at Lango College last month that household-based compensation was the most effective approach. Okwang Sub-County chairperson Zadock Odongo, who also coordinates the Lango War Claimants, urged government to allocate a substantial budget to cover all households. He advised fellow leaders to put politics aside, arguing that only the president had the authority to make the final decision on the matter. Otuke LCV chairperson Abola Francis, however, declined to make a clear comment. He said he remained torn between the two approaches – those advocating for court processes and those supporting household compensation – which made it difficult for him to take a position. Assistant RDC Isaac Opio Opeo supported the household compensation proposal, saying it had been widely embraced by the public. He advised leaders to accelerate the process to ensure communities benefit from it as soon as possible. RDC Erick Masiga, who chaired the meeting, described the programme as a strategic intervention to conclude earlier restocking initiatives and a tool to fight poverty. He warned that while Acholi and Teso were already implementing the programme, Lango was still lagging behind, and urged leaders to act quickly to avoid being left out. Masiga further commended President Museveni for prioritising peace and security and pledged his continued support to the NRM government. Source

Nakasongola, Uganda | The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune has called for the creation of a Rhino sanctuary in the Lango subregion, saying it would both protect Uganda’s endangered Rhinos and safeguard a symbol central to Lango cultural identity. HRH Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola He made the appeal during a fundraising drive on 22 September 2025 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District, organized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to support the protection and growth of the country’s Rhino population. The event also featured a rhino naming ceremony. Odongo Okune said the Rhino is the cultural totem of the Lango people and must be preserved for the benefit of future generations. He added that establishing a sanctuary in Lango would strengthen cultural heritage while contributing to national conservation efforts. Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi reported that the country now has 50 Rhinos, a remarkable recovery from just six in 1986, following widespread poaching for Rhino horns. He credited consistent conservation measures and international partnerships for the progress but warned that the species remains highly vulnerable. British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, urged stronger protection for Rhinos, stressing their importance in driving tourism and generating revenue for the national economy. The Minister of Public Service, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the event, commended UWA’s efforts and reaffirmed government support for conservation programmes. On the proposed Lango sanctuary, he encouraged communities and leaders in the region to make land available to ensure the project’s success. If established, the Lango Rhino Sanctuary would become Uganda’s second dedicated reserve after Ziwa. Source

Lira, Uganda | A five-year-old child has tragically drowned in a swimming pool at Happy Haven Children’s Park, located in Adyel, Lira-City West. The incident occurred on the afternoon of 13th September 2025 and has sparked a police investigation. The child, identified as part of a group of young children on a recreational outing, had been with a guardian, Edok Peace, at the park. At around 4:00 PM, the child reportedly left the group and headed towards the swimming pool, which features both shallow and deep sections. According to eyewitness accounts, the child entered an area of the pool where the water was 3.3 feet deep and was unable to swim. Efforts by bystanders to rescue the child were unsuccessful. The pool attendant, who was present at the time, failed to intervene or offer assistance, prompting concerns regarding the level of supervision at the facility. The attendant was subsequently arrested by police for questioning. The local police, led by the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) for Lira-City Central, responded to the scene. A team of investigators, including members of the homicide squad and scene-of-crime officers, arrived to document the scene and collect statements from witnesses. The child’s body was transported to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where a post-mortem was conducted. Preliminary results confirmed that the cause of death was drowning. Authorities have opened a case under reference DEF 12/2025 to probe the circumstances surrounding the drowning. The investigation is focused on determining whether safety protocols were violated at the park and if negligence contributed to the incident. In response to the tragic event, SP PJ Okema, the police spokesperson for North Kyoga Region, extended condolences to the family of the deceased. He underscored the critical need for stronger safety regulations at recreational facilities, particularly those with swimming pools, to protect children. This incident has raised questions about the enforcement of safety standards at children’s parks and public swimming areas, with local residents calling for stricter measures to ensure that such a tragedy is not repeated. Source