By KT Reporter
Leaders from the Acholi sub-region have urged the government to prioritize the establishment of industries as a sustainable path to recovery, employment creation, and economic development in the formerly war-ravaged area.
The Acholi sub-region endured a two-decade-long insurgency led by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which left a trail of devastation, loss of lives, and economic stagnation. Although several affirmative action programmes have since been rolled out by the government to rebuild the region, leaders say recovery remains incomplete.
Gilbert Olanya, the Member of Parliament for Kilak South (Amuru District), decried the limited impact of government programs, alleging that trillions of shillings disbursed through various initiatives have largely been mismanaged, leaving most residents in abject poverty.
Despite the programs, Acholi leaders note that the region lacks significant industries to drive economic growth.
To benchmark development strategies, MPs, cultural and religious leaders from Acholi, sponsored by the Luwero-Rwenzori Ministry and Operation Wealth Creation, visited Luwero and Nakaseke districts—regions that also endured insurgencies during the 1986 Bush War.
The visit was part of Operation Harmony, a peace and development initiative crafted by MPs and government officials to foster reconciliation and transformation in northern Uganda.
While addressing the delegation on Friday at Luwero Diocese Guest House, Rosemary Namayanja, the Deputy Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), urged Acholi leaders to take advantage of the prevailing peace in their region to drive development, citing Greater Luwero as a model of post-conflict transformation.
Philip Polly Okin Ojara, MP for Chua West and head of the delegation, echoed the need for Acholi to focus on peace and development, emphasizing the shared insurgency history with Luwero and the potential for mutual learning.
Today, Luwero District boasts over 120 factories, while Nakaseke is home to more than 60, including 34 factories in Namunkekera Industrial Park in Kapeeka Town.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, MP for Bardege Layibi Division (Gulu City), expressed admiration after visiting agro-based factories in Luwero and Nakaseke, where he observed that thousands of Acholi youth have found employment. He urged the government to invest in industrial development in Acholi to mirror Luwero’s transformation. However, he noted that customary land tenure systems in Acholi might deter investors unless deliberate discussions are held to address the issue.
Norbert Katsirabo, Assistant Commissioner in the Office of the Prime Minister, described the visit as a fact-finding mission and an “eye-opener” for Acholi leaders. He noted that discussions around industrialization in the region would continue at various levels of government.
As the 2026 elections approach, Acholi opposition MPs held a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on March 13th, agreeing to set aside political differences to tackle poverty and promote economic growth.
In April, Acholi MPs further engaged political, religious, and cultural leaders to gather input on a development deal currently under negotiation with the government. The leaders are scheduled to meet President Museveni in June to finalize the agreement aimed at launching fresh recovery initiatives-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
