Ebong Michael

Lira, Uganda | Kioga Constituency delivered a stunning 3–0 defeat to tournament favourites Apac Municipality on Sunday, advancing to the semifinals of the 2025 Dwog Pacu Cup at UTC Lira Playground. Apac, who had topped their group and entered the knockout stage with high expectations, were outplayed in every department. Kioga displayed tactical discipline, physical dominance, and clinical finishing in what has been described as the biggest upset of the competition so far. From the opening whistle, Kioga pressed aggressively, denying Apac space and time on the ball. The breakthrough came early, followed by two more unanswered goals, silencing Apac’s supporters and halting their campaign. Ambrose Kigozi, wearing shirt number 15, scored the second goal in style, bringing his tournament tally to six. The striker, currently playing for Kiyinda Boys FC in the FUFA Big League, is now a strong contender for the golden boot. Only Apac’s Andrew Otim, with eight goals, stands ahead, though Apac’s elimination leaves Kigozi with two more matches to close the gap. Kigozi scored 15 goals during the 2024/25 Big League season, narrowly missing the top scorer title, which went to Lawrence Kambugu of Ntugasaze FC. Kioga’s goalkeeper, Tyan Lawrence, was named Man of the Match after making several crucial saves. His performance denied Apac’s forwards any chance of recovery. In line with this year’s tournament theme, “Plant More Trees,” he received 15 tree seedlings as his award. Match Line-ups Apac Municipality XIGoalkeeper: Okello Daniel Michu (1)Defenders: Obia Mike Super (23), Mwanga Aron (17), Onea Marvin (21), Lubanga Geoffrey (14)Midfielders: Daniel Oming (Captain) (5), Ogwang Bernard (19), Obura Ivan (4)Forwards: Otim Andrew (10), Adoko Jacob (20), Ogwal Davis (22)Substitutes: Amote Odongo Emmanuel (GK) (18), Odongo Eddy (12), Ojaa Zadock Kembo (15), Otim Leviticus (11), Okello Junior (25), Ajal Steven (8), Halid Moses (21)Coach: Felix Obote Kioga Constituency XIGoalkeeper: Tyan Lawrence (1)Defenders: Eling Denis (22), Eporu Andrew (12), Odongo Solomon (23)Midfielders: Kigozi Ambrose (15), Ocen Brian Pogba (5), Obete Emmanuel (9), Odur Emmanuel (6)Forwards: Okello Isaac (Captain) (18), Okello Denis (14), Okwir Dickens Diara (10)Substitutes: Odic Joel (32), Omara Abdallah Aziz (7), Ongom Hudson (4), Emor Geoffrey M (3), Arago Isaac (16), Ogenrwot Brian (8), Olum Ivan (11)Coach: Rev Jimmy Max Ajon Upcoming Fixtures Quarterfinals Tuesday, 22 July: Otuke East vs Dokolo NorthWednesday, 23 July: Erute North vs Otuke ConstituencyVenue: UTC Lira PlaygroundEntry Fee: UGX 3,000 Semifinals Saturday, 26 July: Kioga vs Winner of Otuke East vs Dokolo NorthSunday, 27 July: Lira City West vs Winner of Erute North vs Otuke Constituency Now in its 2025 edition, the Dwog Pacu Cup continues to combine grassroots football with climate awareness. Under the “Plant More Trees” campaign, the tournament rewards outstanding players with tree seedlings, promoting environmental protection across the Lango Sub-region. Source

Soroti, Uganda | Fi‌she​ries Minister and Serere District Woman​ MP, Hellen Adoa,​ has strongly defended her victory‌ in t⁠he recently c‍on‌cluded NRM primaries, d‌is‌missing allegati⁠o‌ns of ele‌cto​ral mal‍practice and describing the‌ po⁠st-election chaos as orchestrated misinformation ai‍med at misleading the pu‌blic. ⁠Speaking during a pres‌s briefing h​eld o​n Sunday a⁠t Hotel May 7 in So⁠ro‌ti‍ City, Adoa described the confusion that foll‍owed the announ‌c​ement of results as a politically stag‍ed stunt‍. She s⁠aid her rivals h​ad mobilized‍ sup⁠porters w‍ith f‌alse promi⁠ses and delibera​t⁠ely spread fake victo​r​y cl⁠ai‍ms on social media to stir tension and​ con​fusion among vote​rs. According⁠ t‍o Adoa, the celebration that erupte⁠d in s​e​ver‌al t‌rad​ing centres on Saturday n‌i‌ght was not a‌ r‍ef‍lection of reality bu‌t r⁠ather an “embarrassment” to those wh⁠o​ ha‌d been m‌i‌sl‌ed.​ She claimed​ tha​t groups were mob⁠ilized with the‍ p​ro​mise of re⁠ceiv‍ing UGX 3‌00,000 eac‍h⁠ to stage premature and misleading celebra​tion‌s th‍at painted‍ a​ fals‌e ima‌ge of victory for he⁠r closest rival, Est​her Lucy A‌com. Adoa a‌rgued that the⁠s‌e actions‌ were aimed at i‍ncitin⁠g pu⁠blic excitement and political pressure but‌ had no basis i​n the actu‍al elector‍al p⁠rocess. She urged her su⁠pp​orters to remain focused and ign​or‍e wh​at she des‌c⁠ribe‌d as “noise” from s‌oc‌ial m⁠edia. Ado‌a said her work as a leader continues be‌yond po⁠liti⁠cs and​ that sh‌e is current‌ly pre​paring to roll out health camps and distribute e‍sse‍ntial equipment to v​ari⁠ous vi⁠llage⁠s in Serere Distric​t. She⁠ emphasized tha‍t⁠ s‌he is a resul​ts-or​iented leader who⁠ has consi‍stently served the people o⁠f Ser‍ere s⁠ince h⁠er⁠ first election in​ 20⁠11. In her r‍emarks, Ad‌oa issued a stern warn‍i⁠ng⁠ to ind‍ividu​als a‌ttempting to c​ause‍ unres⁠t or intimidate voters, stating that an⁠y such a‍c‌ts wou⁠ld lead t‌o arrests​ a‍nd legal consequences. She‌ caution‍ed​ th​e youth not to allow the⁠mselves to be used by‌ political ac​t‌ors she described a‌s desperate and d​efe‌ated.‍ Adoa attributed h‍er victory not j⁠ust to numbers b‍ut to what she called “soc⁠ial capital” built over t​he years th​rough grassroots work, healthcar⁠e‌ in‌terve⁠n‌tions, and communi‌ty​ support program‍s. She said thi‍s⁠ strong‍ connection with th⁠e pe​ople of Ser‍ere could not be undone by what s‌he termed “a night of li​es.” In a notable app​eal, Adoa reached out to her y⁠ounger challengers, urging t⁠hem not to be misled by veteran pol⁠itic​i‍ans who, in‍ her words, have “eate⁠n enough.” She encoura​ged th‍em to support her le​aders‍hip for now, pro‌mi‍sin‍g to sta⁠nd wi‌th them in the fu​ture‍. She con​clude​d by firmly stating that t⁠h​ere would be no re​-run of the pri‌m​a‌ries‌, insi‌sting that th⁠e​ election result​s‍ were clear and‌ legitimat‌e. She also suggested that those who caused chaos at po​lli​ng stations s‍hould be held accountab⁠le under the law. M⁠eanwhile, Es‌ther Lucy Acom h‍as f‍orm​ally rejected th‍e res⁠ults and filed a petition with t‍he NRM elector‌al tribunal. Sh‌e mai‌nta​ins‌ that the electio‍n was marred b‍y irregularities, in​cludin⁠g alleged denial of a‍cce‌s​s to pol‌ling agen‍ts and suspicious changes in v⁠ote tallies in‍ some s‌ub-c⁠ounties. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | Ayira Community School in Akut Village, Alenga Parish, Dokolo Sub-county is facing a sanitation crisis, with only two pit latrines available for over 800 pupils. Education stakeholders warn this poses a serious health risk if not urgently addressed. The school also lacks adequate classroom blocks, staff offices, desks, and teacher accommodation. The library is housed in a leaking mud structure, and most of the teaching staff are paid by parents due to lack of government support. PTA Chairperson Charles Collines Okello said all development at the school has depended on parent contributions, which are now a heavy burden on the community. LC1 Secretary Odongo Patrick added that the school shares a single borehole with the entire community. He recalled past health issues linked to the use of contaminated water from an open well, underscoring the urgency of improving both sanitation and water access. Teacher Walter Olade highlighted the daily struggles, including lack of toilets, desks, and salaries for teachers. Staff toilet He said pupils sit on wooden seats borrowed from a nearby church, which are often taken away during funerals. Olade revealed that only the acting head teacher is paid by government but the rest of the staff are supported by parents. Dokolo Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, Adoko Bosco, said the sub-county has built two classroom blocks, drilled a borehole, and provided some desks. School Borehole He acknowledged that latrine construction is a priority in their future plans. Local leaders are now appealing to government to onboard Ayira Community School as a government-aided institution to ease the burden on parents and improve learning conditions. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara has secured the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag for Dokolo North constituency after defeating incumbent Member of Parliament Moses Ogwal Goli in a closely contested primary election. According to results announced by the NRM District Returning Officer, Isaac Omara, Ogwal Omara polled 5,964 votes, placing him ahead of Goli, who received 4,915 votes. Other contenders included Ogwal Kasimiro with 4,503 votes, and Alfred Junior Okello with 2,144 votes. The election, conducted under tight supervision across the constituency, was declared free, fair, and peaceful by the returning officer. He noted that the process was carried out in full compliance with party guidelines and that no irregularities were reported. Ogwal Kasimiro conceded defeat, describing the election as credible. He stated that he would consult with his supporters before making a decision on the next phase of his political journey. Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara, widely regarded as a visionary and mobiliser with a deep understanding of grassroots dynamics, praised the NRM’s district electoral committee for organizing a transparent process. He expressed gratitude to the people of Dokolo North for the confidence placed in him and pledged to focus on inclusive development, service delivery, and unifying the constituency under the ideals of the ruling party. Efforts to obtain reactions from the outgoing MP Moses Ogwal Goli and fellow contender Alfred Junior Okello were unsuccessful, as both were absent from the district tally center during the official announcement. In other results across Dokolo District, veteran politician Felix Okot Ogong retained the NRM flag for Dokolo South, while Adongo Janet Okello was confirmed as the party’s flag bearer for the District Woman MP seat. The NRM primary elections, held countrywide, are part of the party’s internal democratic process to select candidates ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections. Source

Kampala, Uganda | The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, has today launched the Traditional Leaders Enhancement Programme, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening cultural institutions and empowering cultural leaders to drive socio-economic transformation in their communities. Presiding over the handover ceremony at Kololo Independence Grounds, Vice President Rt. Jessica Alupo officially delivered brand new vehicles to all gazetted cultural leaders across the country. The initiative is designed to enhance the mobility and operational capacity of traditional leaders as they engage with their subjects and support government development programmes. In her remarks, Alupo emphasized the critical role cultural institutions play in preserving Uganda’s rich heritage, fostering social harmony, and acting as vital partners in the country’s development agenda. She urged cultural leaders to remain steadfast in promoting peace, unity, and patriotism, especially as the country gears up for the 2026 General Elections. She said cultural leaders were key custodians of national values and identity and noted that their contributions to community cohesion, education, health, and household income generation were significant and should be acknowledged. Delivering a message on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the vice president relayed the President’s recognition of the importance of restoring and empowering cultural institutions. The President commended Uganda’s early ancestors for their vision in uniting clans into strong kingdoms such as Buganda, Bunyoro, Lango, Teso, and Ankole, among others, which he said laid the foundation for lasting peace. The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage sites, promoting indigenous languages and customs, and positioning cultural tourism as a key driver of national development. He also underscored the role of cultural leaders in mobilizing citizens for government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. According to the President’s message, the vehicles being handed over were not merely symbolic but essential tools intended to enhance the reach and efficiency of cultural leaders across their jurisdictions. Gender, Labour, and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi also addressed the gathering. She commended President Museveni for honouring his pledge to support cultural institutions and thanked Vice President Alupo for her continuous support to both the ministry and Uganda’s diverse cultural leadership. Amongi said the initiative demonstrated the government’s resolve to preserve the country’s heritage and empower traditional leaders to lead the socio-economic transformation of their communities. She further observed that cultural leaders played a key role in resolving community conflicts, upholding positive values, and advancing government programmes such as improving household incomes and ending gender-based violence. She pledged continued collaboration between her ministry and cultural institutions to foster national unity and development. The distribution of vehicles marked a significant step in strengthening Uganda’s traditional governance structures and bringing leadership closer to the people. Source

Lira, Uganda | The DWOG PACU CUP 2025 continued with a full slate of fixtures across UTC Lira and Lango College today, delivering notable victories and closely fought draws. 9:00 AM Kick-offs:Kole South cruised to a 3-0 win over Oyam North at UTC Lira, while Otuke East also secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Moroto at Lango College. 11:00 AM Fixtures:Lira City West edged Otuke West 1-0 thanks to a decisive strike from Kirya Gerrard at UTC Lira. Ajuri and Dokolo South played out a 1-1 draw at Lango College. 2:00 PM Matches:Dokolo North claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Erute South at UTC Lira. Meanwhile, Kwania North and Maruzi North shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Lango College. 4:00 PM Action:Kyoga North and Kwania Constituency settled for a goalless draw at Lango College. At UTC Lira, Erute North were leading Kole North 2-0 when heavy rain forced the match to be halted at halftime. According to tournament PRO Abel Ogwang, the fixture between Erute North and Kole North has been postponed and rescheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM, with Erute North maintaining their 2-0 advantage. The DWOG PACU CUP continues to showcase emerging talent and fierce competition across the Lango Sub-region. Source

Lira, Uganda | The first edition of the Dwog Pacu Cup kicked off on Saturday at the Uganda Technical College (UTC) Lira playground, with Apac Municipality making headlines after a dominant 3-0 victory over Lira City East Division. The win set the first official tournament record and positioned Apac as an early contender for the title. All three goals were scored by SC Villa forward Andrew Otim, who recorded the tournament’s first hat-trick. His performance marked by speed, precision, and composure earned him immediate recognition and set the bar high for the rest of the competition. Lawrence Egole, Patron of the Dwog Pacu Cup, thanked fans for showing up in large numbers and said the turnout showed how much the people of Lango have embraced the tournament. He noted that the Cup is not just a sports event, but a unifying platform for cultural identity and community pride. Egole credited KK and Sam Samu for their vision and hard work in making the tournament a reality. Kenneth Kaunda, Chairperson of the Central Organizing Committee, confirmed that the tournament will be held annually and will feature all 21 constituencies of the Lango sub-region. He explained that this year’s theme, “Plant More Trees,” symbolizes growth, unity, and sustainability values the organizers hope to promote through football. Abel Ogwang, Public Relations Officer of the Dwog Pacu Cup, thanked UTC Lira for providing the venue and commended the media for raising awareness about the tournament. He emphasized the importance of continued media support in keeping the community connected to the tournament and pledged to maintain that link between football and the people of Lango. The Dwog Pacu Cup is quickly being recognized as the biggest football tournament in Lango, aiming to promote youth talent, environmental consciousness, and cultural unity. With Apac’s strong start and Otim’s standout performance, the competition is off to an exciting beginning. All eyes now turn to the next matches to see which team will rise to the challenge. Today’s Fixtures – Sunday, 13th July 2025 At UTC Lira Grounds: 9:00 AM Oyam North vs Kole South 11:00 AM Lira City West vs Otuke County 2:00 PM Erute South vs Dokolo North 4:00 PM Erute North vs Kole North At Lango College Grounds: 9:00 AM Otuke East vs Moroto County 11:00 AM Ajuri County vs Dokolo South 2:00 PM Kwania North vs Maruzi North 4:00 PM Kioga North vs Kwania County Follow Dokolo Post for continued coverage of the Dwog Pacu Cup. Source

By Haron Okwir Otuke, Uganda |  The National Resistance Movement (NRM) office in Otuke District has officially cancelled the joint campaign program after it failed to take off beyond the first day. According to a resolution reached during a meeting held on Friday, July 4, 2025, in the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), all candidates aspiring Members of Parliament for the two constituencies, Woman Member of Parliament, and LCV Chairperson aspirants had agreed to contribute UGX 100,000 each day to cover the cost of a public address system for joint campaign rallies. However, the arrangement collapsed after some candidates declined to make the daily contributions. Speaking to our reporter, Otuke District NRM Registrar Boniface Ouni confirmed that the joint campaigns could not continue due to financial constraints. He said their office did not receive facilitation from the NRM Secretariat to support the coordination of joint campaigns at the district level. Ouni added that while some candidates had shown willingness to contribute, others refused, which made it difficult to run the program as planned. The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (D/RDC) of Otuke, Okwameri Francis, also weighed in on the situation. He said that despite the failure of the joint campaigns, Otuke has not registered any serious cases of electoral violence. He praised the aspirants for maintaining calm and mutual respect, especially when compared to other districts experiencing unrest during the campaign period. Okwameri advised all candidates to coordinate with the District Registrar to plan individual campaign schedules in order to avoid clashes. He further urged community members and campaign teams to ensure peace throughout the electoral process. The joint campaigns had initially been scheduled to end on Thursday, July 11, 2025. Source

Lira, Uganda | The Lango cultural leadership has issued a strong warning against the rising use of harmful substances such as marijuana, mairunji, opium, and other toxic drugs among youth in the sub-region, saying the trend poses a serious threat to the future of the community. The caution was delivered by the Paramount Chief of Lango, His Royal Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, during a meeting on Tuesday evening with contestants of the Miss Tourism Northern Uganda pageant who visited him at his residence in Lira City. Odongo Okune expressed concern over the growing drug abuse, describing it as both illegal and destructive to the young generation. He said drug use undermines the values and vision expected of Lango youth. He commended the National Drug Authority (NDA) for working with Miss Tourism Uganda and the Lango cultural institution in confronting the issue. He emphasized that culture must play a central role in addressing the drug crisis, saying it helps shape identity and discipline among young people. The Paramount Chief urged the contestants to serve as cultural ambassadors who uphold the Lango identity and inspire responsible living. He reminded them that culture is their first identity and should be proudly represented wherever they go. Also speaking at the event, Alfred Akali Oyom, an inspector with the National Drug Authority and part of the Miss Tourism organizing team, said drug abuse in Lango is spreading rapidly. He called for stronger partnerships between NDA and cultural institutions to scale up awareness campaigns. Oyom noted that the office of the Paramount Chief is a critical platform to reach and educate the youth, warning that the increasing drug culture threatens peace and social cohesion. Gloria Alele, the head of Miss Tourism Northern Uganda, said this year’s pageant is themed “I Am My Culture”, focusing on the importance of preserving and promoting heritage. She said involving the cultural leadership of Lango was deliberate to give the contest deeper relevance, and thanked the Paramount Chief for his continued support. Alele recalled Lango’s strong performance in past contests, attributing part of the success to his guidance. The Miss Tourism Northern Uganda grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025, at St. Lira Hotel. The event will gather cultural leaders, tourism stakeholders, youth, and supporters from across the region to celebrate culture, tourism, and positive values. Source

By Haron Okwir Otuke, Uganda | Three Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) aspirants from Otuke District have picked nomination forms to contest for parliamentary seats in the 2026 general elections. The nominations, launched on Thursday, July 10 at the UPC headquarters on the 6th Floor of Uganda House in Kampala, mark the beginning of the party’s internal primary process. The three aspirants from Otuke include Grace Abote and Norah, both seeking the Woman Member of Parliament seat, and Engineer Richard Enen, who is contesting for the Otuke East Constituency seat, currently held by MP Julius Achon Bua. Grace Abote said she joined the race because current leaders have failed to represent the people’s issues in Parliament. She cited poor service delivery, maternal deaths, teenage pregnancies, and cases of sexual violence as some of the pressing problems in Otuke. She described Otuke as one of the poorest districts in Uganda, blaming underdevelopment on elected leaders who have failed to deliver. Her priorities include lobbying for vocational training centers to help child mothers and promoting women’s economic empowerment through small business support. Abote also pledged to push for better services in health, education, and infrastructure. On the issue of salary disparities between arts and science teachers, she said all teachers should be paid equally because they contribute to national development. Efforts to reach Norah and Richard Enen for comment were unsuccessful by press time. UPC is expected to conclude its primaries in the coming months as it prepares candidates for the 2026 elections. Source