Acholi cultural festival expected to strengthen unity, preserve heritage in Pader

19 October 2026, 7:36 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

The Acholi Cultural Festival is expected to strengthen unity, preserve cultural heritage and create economic opportunities as Pader District prepares to host the three-day celebration from December 12–14, 2026, following years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival, first held in 2017, brings together Acholi communities to celebrate their cultural identity, traditions and shared history. It was suspended following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 before returning in December 2024.

Pader District is now preparing to host the Fourth Edition of the festival on behalf of the Acholi sub-region, with local leaders calling for wider community participation and efforts to ensure the celebrations contribute to cultural preservation and economic development.

Pader District LCV chairperson Alfred Akena said the festival would feature traditional dances, cultural foods, public lectures, speeches by invited leaders and tours of selected tourist sites in the district.

He said the celebrations would also provide an opportunity for people to conduct business, network, share ideas and showcase their products.

Akena called on Acholi cultural leaders to mobilise their subjects to participate in the festival, saying its success would require collective involvement.

He also urged the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Pader District to spearhead the mobilisation of district staff to ensure the event is successfully organised and celebrated.

Akena added that plans were underway to invite communities from neighbouring Karamoja and Teso sub-regions to promote cultural exchange and strengthen relationships between communities.

He said hosting the festival presented an opportunity for Pader to showcase its cultural and tourism potential while connecting cultural celebrations with economic development.

Akena further urged district leaders and technical officials to identify and document local development priorities for consideration under the Acholi Regional Development Plan and the wider national development framework.

He highlighted inadequate staffing in local governments as a challenge to effective service delivery, calling for increased government funding to recruit personnel and strengthen the implementation of development programmes.

Meanwhile, Alfred Omony Ogaba said the festival should go beyond traditional dances and food, which are among the cultural practices for which the Acholi people are known.

Ogaba emphasised the importance of documenting Acholi history, including recognising people who have died and those still living who have made significant contributions to the community.

He said documentation was a critical part of preserving the region’s heritage and ensuring that the contributions of important individuals were recognised during the celebrations.

Ogaba also challenged organisers to ensure the festival delivers tangible economic benefits to the district and its people.

He questioned what participants would take home economically after the celebrations, beyond enjoying cultural performances, urging organisers to consider how the event could generate income and create opportunities for local people.

His remarks highlighted the importance of linking cultural preservation with economic activity so that the festival benefits communities beyond the days of celebration.

George Odong Otto of NGO Forum Pader said the festival should also provide an opportunity for the district to reflect on its history, achievements and persistent development challenges.

Otto called for a structured review of Pader’s development journey, including an assessment of challenges that remain unresolved and recommendations aligned with national development priorities.

He urged the district to establish a working committee to document the district’s achievements and challenges and prepare proposals for presentation during the festival.

From Gulu and Kitgum to Pader

The inaugural Acholi Cultural Festival was held in December 2017 in Gulu Municipality, followed by the second edition from December 13–15, 2018, at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu.

The third edition took place in November 2019 at Kitgum Public School grounds in Kitgum Municipality.

The cultural gala was subsequently interrupted following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, which led to the suspension of the festival for several years. It returned in December 2024, renewing efforts to bring Acholi communities together through cultural celebrations.

Pader’s hosting of the planned December 2026 edition is expected to continue the festival’s tradition of celebrating Acholi identity while providing a platform to discuss the region’s development aspirations.

The preparations are being discussed alongside consultations on the Acholi Regional Development Plan, with leaders seeking to link cultural promotion to tourism, business and broader economic development.

The three-day event is expected to bring together cultural leaders, government representatives, communities and invited guests to celebrate Acholi heritage, strengthen relationships and explore opportunities for the region’s social and economic development.