By KT Reporter
A delegation of European Union Heads of Mission to Uganda, led by Ambassador Jan Sadek, is on a two-day official visit to the Acholi subregion, aimed at strengthening partnerships and exploring areas of cooperation between the EU and Uganda.
Upon arrival, the delegation held its first engagement with the leadership of Gulu City and Gulu District at the Gulu City Mayor’s compound. Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City Mayor, appealed for partnerships in various sectors. He proposed twinning Gulu City with EU cities to foster cultural and economic exchanges, and requested EU support to construct a museum to preserve Acholi cultural heritage.
“Our rich cultural heritage should be preserved through a museum, which we still don’t have in the region. If it can align with any of your objectives of the European Union, you can support the city in establishing a museum to preserve our heritage and history. Our history is not documented. It is put in songs. It is put in storytelling,” Okwonga stated.
He also called for the rehabilitation of Pece War Memorial Stadium, constructed in 1950 by the British government in honor of WWII veterans, noting it is in a state of disrepair. “Its condition now is not befitting. We can partner to upgrade it into a modern sports facility, to promote and honor our heroes who participated in the Second World War,” he said.
Additionally, Okwonga appealed for market access in European countries for key agricultural products such as coffee and millet, which are being increasingly promoted in the subregion. During a meeting with the delegation at his palace, Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Paramount Chief of Acholi, urged the EU to support efforts to rehabilitate victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict, stressing that many war-affected individuals remain neglected.
Rwot Acana criticized the government for failing to fully implement recovery programs promised in the Juba Peace Agreement, despite initiatives like the Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP).
He noted that many children born of war remain unemployed and homeless, contributing to insecurity in the subregion. “Our children are disturbing the peace of the community. That is simply because we didn’t do enough after the war,” Rwot Acana said.
Ambassador Jan Sadek said the purpose of the visit is to better understand the region’s challenges and opportunities. He emphasized the EU’s continued commitment to cooperation programs, particularly under the Europe Constellation framework.
Sadek highlighted agriculture, especially coffee, as a key sector where Northern Uganda could benefit, provided product quality is maintained.
As part of their itinerary, the EU delegation will visit the orthopedic unit at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, which is supported by the Trust Fund for Victims. They will also tour Gulu University and engage in discussions on post-conflict policies, refugee hosting, and transitional justice.
The team will meet Gen. Salim Saleh, visit Pece War Memorial Stadium and Gulu Skate Park, organize a marketplace for civil society organizations, and assess a climate adaptation project in Nwoya District-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
