Acholi Paramount Chief Launches 5th Cultural Festival, Calls for Unity and Development

24 October 2026, 9:26 am

By Regina Lalam Olal

GULU CITY —The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has officially launched the 5th edition of the Acholi Cultural Festival, slated for December 12–14, 2026, at Pader Town Council in Pader District.

The launch, held in Gulu City, was attended by Agago District LCV Chairperson Wilson Otto and Pader District LCV Chairperson Alfred Akena, alongside chiefs, cultural leaders and stakeholders from across the Acholi Sub-region.

Speaking at the event, Rwot Acana II called upon all Acholi people to embrace unity as a weapon against poverty and to fast-track development in a region still recovering from over two decades of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency.

“Unity is the foundation upon which we can rebuild our communities, restore our dignity and improve our livelihoods,” Rwot Acana said.

The Acholi Cultural Festival is an annual flagship event of the Acholi Ker Kwaro (Acholi Cultural Institution) that brings together thousands of Acholi from Uganda, South Sudan and the diaspora.

First held in 2018, the festival has grown into one of the largest cultural gatherings in Northern Uganda, showcasing the richness of Acholi heritage.

Preservation of Culture: To preserve, promote and transmit Acholi language, traditional dances such as Larakaraka, Bwola and Myel Aguma, folklore, food, attire and indigenous knowledge to the younger generation.

Unity and Social Cohesion: To unite the 54 chiefdoms of Acholi under one umbrella and foster reconciliation, peace and healing after years of conflict and displacement.

Poverty Alleviation and Development: To mobilize the community to fight poverty, promote education, and encourage modern farming and economic empowerment.

Peace Building:To provide a platform for dialogue on peace, justice and development challenges facing the sub-region.

Youth Empowerment: To engage youth and children in cultural activities to prevent moral decay and promote responsible citizenship.

Tourism and Investment: To showcase Acholi’s cultural potential to attract cultural tourism and investment opportunities.

This year’s three-day festival is expected to feature traditional dance competitions, storytelling sessions by elders, Acholi traditional cuisine, art exhibitions, a display of traditional regalia, sports, and a symposium on Acholi history and development.

Rwot Acana II said the choice of Pader as host is symbolic, as the district was one of the most affected by the insurgency and now stands as a symbol of resilience and recovery.

The festival will run under the theme of unity for development, with organizers expecting over 10,000 participants from across Uganda and beyond.