El-Shadai wins Acholi regional MDD festival in Pader

16 August 2026, 07:45

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

El-Shaddai Primary School has emerged overall winner of the 2026 Acholi Regional Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) Festival held in Pader District, 14 years after the district last hosted the regional competition.

El-Shaddai scored 1,114 marks to take first position, followed by Anaka Primary School with 1,105 marks, while Olwornguu Primary School finished third with 1,067 marks.

Kitgum Primary School took fourth position with 1,043 marks, followed by Village of hope Primary School in fifth position with 1,009 marks. Awach Primary School came sixth with 1,007 marks, while Kalongo Primary School finished seventh with the same score.

Akworo Primary School was eighth with 998 marks, while Pagak Primary School finished ninth with 992 marks and Paologa Primary School with 929 marks.

Announcing the results, Chief Adjudicator Mr Kanaabi Godfrey congratulated the participating schools, saying the performances reflected the hard work and preparation of learners, teachers and school administrations.

Kanaabi also presented certificates of participation to schools that took part in the festival, including Akworo, Awach, El-Shaddai, Kalongo, Kitgum, Olwornguu, Pagak and Paologa primary schools.

Meanwhile, Odoch Alan Dan, choir trainer and teacher at Alcadai Nursery and Primary School, expressed joy after his team emerged among the top performers.

He thanked people who prayed for and supported them and appealed to the Acholi community to continue supporting and praying for the team ahead of the national competition.

Odoch said the team would work on areas that need improvement to strengthen its performance and ensure that it represents the Acholi sub-region well in Iganga.

The festival, held from August 13th to 15th, brought together schools from across the Acholi sub-region to showcase learners’ talents and promote cultural heritage through music, dance and drama.

Pader District was selected to host the 2026 regional festival, marking 14 years since the district last hosted the event in 2012.

The top six schools will represent the Acholi sub-region at the national MDD competition in Iganga.