Pader district celebrates women’s day with calls for empowerment

30 March 2025, 09:08

By James Patrick Odongo

Pader district marked International Women’s Day with a celebration at Lakoga Primary School in Tenam sub county, attended by local leaders and dignitaries. The event highlighted various challenges faced by women in the district and emphasised the need for empowerment and development.

Bosco Okello, Lakoga Central LC1 chairperson, lamented the lack of electricity in the area, particularly at Lakoga Health Centre II and Lakoga Primary School. He also pointed out that LC1 chairpersons had not been paid for two years.

Jennifer Apio, Pader District Women’s Council Chairperson, called for more Health Centre IVs and ambulances in Pader. She also raised concerns about the high rate of teenage pregnancy and advocated for the establishment of a vocational school to support teenage mothers.

Rtd Col Fearless Obwoya Oyat, Pader LC V Chairperson, announced that the district had received funding to fill staffing gaps and urged residents to prepare for upcoming job opportunities. He encouraged women to engage in productive activities to boost their income.

Aruu County MP, Komakech Christopher, presented a white paper on the poor state of roads in Pader district to the Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala. He stressed the need to increase the population in the Acholi sub region to drive production and urged men to reduce alcohol consumption and focus on family welfare.

Pader District Woman MP, Hon. Paska Menya Aciro, expressed gratitude to the NRM government for restoring peace in Northern Uganda. She called for continued cooperation among leaders and emphasised the need to prioritise the GROW Project for local women.

Guest of Honour, Road and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala, announced that the Puranga Acholibur road would be constructed in the next financial year under a new contractor. He also mentioned an additional 18-kilometre road to be constructed, extending up to the district headquarters.

Pader district dedicated the Women’s Day celebration to Colonel Suzan Oruni Lakot, a two-time UPDF representative in Parliament, who was recently promoted to the highest rank ever attained by a woman from Northern Uganda in the UPDF.