Wodacholi resumes Pader office, promotes harmony, integrity

23 September 2025, 19:55

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Leaders in Pader Town Council have called for unity, integrity, and peaceful coexistence as Urban Council III Chairperson Kilama Fearless Wodacholi officially resumed office this week following a directive from the Solicitor General.

During community prayers held at the Town Council Hall on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, Wodacholi said he had forgiven past mistakes and urged political, religious, and technical leaders, alongside residents, to work together to drive development.

He emphasised that integrity, accountability, and resilience were key values the district needed to embrace in order to overcome years of setbacks.

“Time is our biggest competitor. If we continue fighting instead of working, Pader will remain behind,” Wodacholi warned, while thanking the District Police Commander (DPC), religious leaders, the business community, civil society, and technical staff for their support.

While preaching during community prayers to mark Urban Chairperson Wodacholi Kilama Fearless’s resumption on Tuesday, Rev. Father Stephen Opoka likened leadership to a trailblazing ant that clears the way for others.

He urged leaders to unite their communities for the common good, emphasising goals such as improved health services and sustainable development.

He emphasised the need for compassion, reminding leaders to listen to the cries of their people and to feel their pain as their own.

Father Opoka also urged leaders to be courageous in speaking the truth, even when it is unpopular, and not to allow a few individuals to derail the community’s progress.

Rev. Francis Okot Okello, representing St. Philip Church of Uganda, expressed concern that political leaders in Pader often ignore guidance from religious leaders.

He cited previous unsuccessful interventions by Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitara, Bishop of Kitgum Diocese, and Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu.

“Religious leaders have counselled these politicians before, but they did not listen. The question now is: will they listen this time? Our appeal remains that leaders must heed us, for we are God’s voice,” Rev. Francis said.

District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police Bogere Jackson, cautioned council leaders against defying the Solicitor General’s directive, warning that it could fuel insecurity.

He revealed that on 27 September, while in Kampala, he had to deploy his deputy to Pader after receiving concerns about potential unrest during a council meeting.

“Our institution respects directives from superiors. I urge the Town Clerk and leaders to honour the Solicitor General’s communication. Fighting here has only created ‘PhD – Pull Him Down’ politics instead of fostering development,” Bogere said.

He contrasted Pader’s divisions with his home district, Mukono, which he said is progressing because leaders there are united in their efforts to achieve district status.

Bogere further urged residents to approach the 2026 elections with tolerance and respect for others’ rights, warning that police would not hesitate to maintain order if conflicts escalated.

The event attracted a wide range of religious and civil society leaders, including Pastor Justine Otim of Victory Outreach Ministry, Pastor David Geoffrey Ocira of Pader Community Church, Apostle Rev. Alex Olara of Faith Mission Church, Rev. Danish Okot of the New Covenant Church, Amusah Ekwang representing the Muslim community, Rev. Danish Onen of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG), and Odong George Otto of the Pader NGO Forum representing civil society organisations (CSOs), among others.

The prayers marked the official return of Wodacholi to office, with leaders pledging to prioritise unity, service delivery, and development over political wrangles.