Paramount Chief Joins East Acholi Lamogi Cooperative Society, Fulfils Earlier Commitment

25 June 2026, 9:41 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

The Acholi Paramount Chief has officially registered his membership with East Acholi Lamogi Cooperative Society Ltd, fulfilling a pledge he previously made in support of strengthening community-led economic initiatives in the Acholi sub-region.

The registration, carried out during a formal engagement with cooperative leaders, marked a significant show of commitment to promoting collective development, savings culture, and grassroots empowerment.

The meeting, organized by Lamogi clan members from the Acholi East districts of Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago, and Pader, was held at Ogago Primary School in Bar Goma Village, Ogago Parish, Paiula Sub-county in Pader District.

The engagement stems from an earlier visit by Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Acholi Paramount Chief, during his tour of various chiefdoms across Acholi districts last year.

During the event, Acana, through Rwot Atuka Otinga Otto Yayi II, the clan chief of Lamogi, and Martine Okumu, the Ker Kwaro Acholi Prime Minister, fulfilled a series of earlier pledges, including UGX 500,000 in cash presented as membership fees to the cooperative and clan leaders.

A letter read in the Acholi language before the gathering also confirmed additional commitments fulfilled, including 100 iron sheets worth UGX 3.8 million for the construction of Ker Kwaro Lamogi offices in East Acholi, UGX 2.8 million for the purchase of solar equipment for Ogago Primary School, UGX 2 million for a football team, and UGX 1 million for the Larakaraka cultural dance group.

Speaking at the event, Rwot Otinga called for greater trust and unity among cultural leaders across Acholi, noting that efforts to uplift communities would continue.

He, however, expressed concern over internal communication gaps, accusing some clan members of failing to report key community issues to leadership. 

He urged improved coordination, trust, and accountability to ensure development reaches all areas.

On the fulfilled pledges, Rwot Otinga emphasized the need for unity and responsibility among Lamogi clan members, discouraging backbiting and division.

He also committed to awarding scholarships to deserving members of the community to help them compete in an increasingly competitive educational environment.

Martine Okumu, the Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi, said the institution is working to strengthen linkages with other organizations locally and internationally to support vulnerable communities.

He noted that while Acholi continues to face development challenges following over two decades of conflict, other countries that experienced similar hardships have successfully rebuilt, citing China as an example of long-term recovery and economic growth.

On land issues, Okumu warned that Acholi land, which accounts for about 16 percent of Uganda’s total land area, must be fully utilized productively or risk increasing interest from external actors and potential land grabbers.

Members of the cooperative welcomed the development, saying it is expected to boost confidence in the society’s mission to improve livelihoods and expand local investment opportunities.