Rapa FM Pader
Pader to host Acholi regional MDD festival after 14 years
11 July 2026, 09:15
By Ekel Bonny Daniel
Pader District is set to host the Acholi Regional Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) Festival from 13th to 15th August 2026, 14 years after last hosting the event in 2012. Education leaders have begun preparations, with Archbishop Flynn Secondary School proposed as venue.
Pader District is set to host the Acholi Sub-region Regional Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) Festival in August 2026, marking 14 years since the district last hosted the regional event.
The announcement was made during the Regional MDD planning meeting held at the Pader District Education Board Room on Friday 10th July 2026, bringing together district inspectors of school (DIS) and MDD coordinators from across the Acholi sub-region.
The meeting resolved that the 2026 Regional Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) Festival will be hosted by Pader District, with participating teams arriving on 13th August 2026 and festival activities taking place on 14th and 15th August 2026. Gulu District was also selected to host the 2027 edition of the festival.
The festival will bring together schools from the Acholi sub-region to showcase cultural talents, creativity and educational messages through music, dance and drama.
Pader District last hosted the regional MDD festival in 2012, and the return in 2026 will provide an opportunity for learners, parents and the community to celebrate Acholi culture and promote education through artistic expression.
Mr. Mwaka Gaspher, District Inspector of Schools for Omoro District, Chairperson of the UNISA-Acholi Chapter and Chairperson of the Regional MDD Organising Committee, said the hosting of the festival follows the rotational arrangement among districts in Acholi.
Mr. Mwaka urged districts to strengthen MDD structures starting from schools, sub-counties and district levels in line with Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines.
He said proper preparation and coordination among stakeholders will be key to the success of the 2026 festival.
The planning meeting proposed Archbishop Flynn Secondary School as the venue for the festival.
However, the officials noted that further assessment will be carried out before the venue is officially confirmed.
Mr. Lumonyakol Oyet Dicken, District Inspector of Schools for Pader District, said Pader is honoured to welcome the Acholi region after 14 years and called upon parents, learners and community members to support the event.
He encouraged the public to attend the festival, saying the performances will carry important messages that benefit learners, families and the wider community.
Mr. Labeja Polly, Chairperson of Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) for Nanga Region (Acholi Sub-region), said preparations had started early after the release of the 2026 MDD syllabus in February.
He added that the main theme for this year’s festival is “Safe Learning Environment”, with several sub-themes to guide school performances.
Madam Rose Filder Lalam, Assistant District Education Officer for Pader District, called for proper selection and preparation of school choirs to ensure the region performs well at national level.
She urged Inspectors of Schools, MDD coordinators and education stakeholders to work together to strengthen participation and identify talented learners from the grassroots.
The 2026 Acholi Regional MDD Festival in Pader is expected to unite schools, celebrate Acholi heritage and provide a platform for learners to communicate important messages through music, dance and drama.