By Willy Chowoo
Gulu City, Uganda – December 3, 2024
“This is God’s work. We haven’t seen it before and there is no time to describe it. God wants to revive Acholi land. He wants to see the culture and heritage thrive,” declared Ambassador Dr. Olara Otunnu during the launch of the second edition of Gurre Me Pongdwongo due to take place at Restore Leadership High School in Amuru District.
Dr. Otunnu, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and co-chair of the initiative, emphasized that the revival movement, Gurre Me Pongdwongo, is a divine mission to address the “existential, radical, and comprehensive societal collapse” of Acholi society. He urged detractors to step aside to allow for the region’s moral, metaphysical, and mental transformation.
“We can become barriers to God’s work. Pettiness and shortsightedness, whether from within or outside, must not derail God’s plan for this sub-region,” Dr. Otunnu warned, rallying the Acholi people to unite behind the revival effort.
Early on, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo Chigamoi, one of the co-chairs of Gurre Me Pongdwongo, expressed his profound excitement about the initiative, which has evolved into a transformative and non-partisan movement. According to him, this revival effort stands out not just in Acholi but across the entire country.
“This revival movement has touched the hearts of the Acholi people. It is a war against the socio-economic devastation we have faced. It is an amusing revival movement, an amusing reconstruction movement, and an amusing rebuilding movement,” Owiny-Dollo remarked.
He emphasized the unique and apolitical nature of the movement, calling it the only one of its kind in Acholi history. “This is the only movement I have ever seen in Acholi that is completely non-partisan. It is an irreversible movement,” he stated with conviction.
Owiny-Dollo highlighted how Gurre Me Pongdwongo has galvanized the Acholi community to rise above divisions and focus on collective progress. He praised the movement’s ability to unite people from different backgrounds around the shared goals of rebuilding, restoring, and reviving the moral, cultural, and socio-economic fabric of the Acholi sub-region.
The Chief Justice called on all Acholi people to embrace the momentum of this initiative and ensure its sustainability for future generations, urging the community to rally behind the movement’s goals.
His passionate endorsement underscores the transformative potential of Gurre Me Pongdwongo, a movement that not only seeks to heal past wounds but also aspires to secure a brighter and united future for Acholi land.
Dr. Otunnu’s rallying call and the efforts of the Rocco Paco Foundation reflect a collective determination to heal and rebuild Acholi land. By embracing education, cultural unity, and moral revival, the people of Acholi can chart a brighter future for generations to come.
Audio file One: Dr Olara Otunnu talking about reasons why they decided to form a revival movement for rebuilding Acholi Community
A Scholarship Initiative for Acholi’s Future
The launch also highlighted Dero Kwan (The Scholarship Fund), an ambitious program aiming to sponsor underprivileged children in Acholi to become future leaders.
“We want to open doors for a few of them and give them the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our forebears who paved the way for us,” Dr. Otunnu said passionately.
The event comes as the Rocco Paco Foundation, a non-political and non-profit organization headquartered in Gulu, celebrates its first anniversary. The Foundation has raised over UGX 300 million to support educational scholarships, a significant milestone in its mission to rebuild Acholi society.
Founded during the inaugural Gurre Me Pongdwongo convention in December 2023, the Rocco Paco Foundation is committed to reversing societal decline and promoting education, culture, and sustainable development in the region.
Scholarship Fund: Achievements and Challenges
Despite the impressive UGX 300 million raised, the amount falls short of the UGX 2.5 billion target needed to sustain the annual education drive. Mrs. Filda Lanyero Ojok, one of the co-chairs of the scholarship selection committee, acknowledged the challenges but maintained optimism.
“If every Acholi person, from age one to 100+, contributed UGX 1,000 annually, we would have sufficient funds to sponsor many children. Nevertheless, we’re determined to start the scholarship program next year,” Mrs. Lanyero explained.
The pilot program will support 60 bright but underprivileged students in 2025, drawn from the eight districts of Acholi. Each district will receive seven slots, while Gulu City and Gulu Municipality will get two each. The students will be enrolled in top secondary schools within the sub-region, including St. Joseph’s College Layibi and Sir Samuel Baker School, as part of efforts to transform these institutions into model schools.
Eligibility criteria for the scholarship include first- or second-grade results in the 2023 Primary Leaving Examinations, a background of extreme vulnerability, and demonstrated excellence in extracurricular activities.
“We cannot do much because of limited funds, but we must begin somewhere. Without improving education, we will struggle to thrive as part of the country,” Mrs. Lanyero urged.
Video 1: Mrs. Filda Lanyero Ojok talking about the needs revive education in Acholi Land
Upcoming Events to Support the Cause
The revival movement’s flagship event, Gurre Me Pongdwongo 2024, will take place from December 27–29 at Restore Leadership High School in Amuru District. It will review achievements, evaluate progress, and set new priorities, with over 3,000 participants expected.
Before this, the Acholi Cultural Festival is scheduled for December 15, 2024, at the UMA Show Grounds in Kampala. This vibrant cultural celebration aims to raise funds for the scholarship program while promoting unity and pride in Acholi heritage.
About the Rocco Paco Foundation
The Rocco Paco Foundation was established to address years of social and economic decline in the Acholi sub-region. Its mission is to restore Acholi values, foster unity, and drive sustainable development through education, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.
This milestone marks a significant step in the Foundation’s efforts to revive Acholi society and inspire a new generation of leaders committed to rebuilding their community.
