Richard Onapatum, Tororo – President Yoweri Museveni has urged cultural leaders across the country to preserve the culture of hard work and decency amongst their subjects.
He said leaders should strive to their best to raise a generation of integrity in order to banish corruption and support peaceful living.
“I urge the cultural leaders to preserve our culture of hard work and decency which will propel the Nation and Africa to the next level rather than embracing cultures of shame and prejudice from the western world,” president Museveni said.
He made the remarks in a speech ably delivered by the vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, during the Silver Jubilee Coronation anniversary of His Royal Highness Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor at Achilet Primary School, in Tororo district.
The celebrations were under a guiding theme, ‘Gender Parity; a prerequisite to Sustainable peace and development in a fast changing environment’.
President Museveni noted that celebration of the silver jubilee of the Kwar Adhola is a highlight of the existence of the Padhola cultural institution since inception by the NRM leadership and a celebration of all the hard work and victories attained and achieved over the years.
“We appreciate the dedication, focus and commitment of all the people who have participated in all ways to see that the Kingdom becomes stronger and stronger and believe that many victories will be attained as you continue to work in Unity with focus on bringing about change and development of your communities,” the president said.
The president thanked God for His provision and wisdom that has kept His Royal Highness going until now. “We celebrate all the work that has been done and the participation of the Adhola fraternity to see that there is progress in the Kingdom and the good working relationship between the leadership and government,” he said.
The president told the gathering that when government restored cultural institutions, it provided an opening for the cultural institutions to fully participate in development of their people.
He said the NRM recognizes the role played by cultural institutions and will always provide support to them as long as the resources allow.
The president further said that as government they have been advocating for poverty eradication amongst the people towards self-reliance and sustainability through different government programs like Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, Parish Development Model (PDM) all working towards changing the lives of Ugandans by banishing poverty out of our households.
“We can no longer entertain the system of just a few Ugandans participating in the money economy. All Ugandans must be in position to earn some money either on a daily basis, monthly or even annually if we are to overcome deprivation and poverty from our households. Have food but also earn some money to cater for other needs,” he said.
The president called upon all stakeholders in cultural institutions and key players especially leaders in our communities to be preachers of the NRM gospel of hard work and attaining self-reliance in our homes and as a country.
He applauded cultural institutions for always supporting the NRM and encouraged them to participate in the NRM skilling programs of the youth organized by both leaders and the government.
The president once again congratulated his Royal Highness Akwar Adhola Moses Stephen Awor upon celebration of this silver Jubilee and prayed the Almighty God to grant him good health and Wisdom to enable you perform your duties.
“I congratulate your Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, on my own behalf, that of the NRM leadership and the entire nation upon celebration of 25 years of leadership since enthronement,” President Musevni said.
He also congratulated the leaders and the Japadhola people upon making it to this day and coming to celebrate such a great milestone for the Padhola cultural institution. This event is a highlight of the existence of the Padhola cultural institution since inception by the NRM.
His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola said 25-years, on the day of his, president Museveni convoyed a message on the prudent approach that induced cordial working relations with other sister cultural institutions in order to cultivate mutual trust and respect among the institutions.
He added that since then, the Padhola Adhola cultural institution has followed his advice and guidance.
“This has earned us opportunities to recognize our potential, which led to my unanimous election last November to the chair of the council of traditional leaders in Africa; Uganda Chapter for the next three years,” Kwar Adhola said.
He further said the president’s guidance on economic, social development and cultural institutions in active collaboration with relevant government departments involved in combating the above ills, have helped the Tieng Adhola cultural institution to create platforms of awareness for elimination of these social ills.
Kwar said that as a Kingdom, they continued to sensitize communities on the values and benefits of tree planting and conservation of forests focusing on climate change and resilient development thus making Tororo green with crops and trees for environmental protection.
He appreciated president Museveni for offering his people appointments in various government and NRM establishments which include ministerial, judicial, foreign services, police, prison, army, academia and various high ranks in the NRM political organ.
Dr. Mathew Ochieng Owili, the Deputy Governor of Kisumu County who led a powerful delegation from neighbouring Kenya brought a message of good will to his brothers and sisters in Ugandans.
“Us the Luo of Kenya recognize that we have a very close working relationship spanning many years and we shall continue to value that relationship yesterday, today and days to come,” Owili said.
He further said that as the Luo nation, they’re indeed one people and we value our brothers and sisters living in Uganda.
He thanked the Kingdom for extending to them an invitation to be part of their leader’s celebrations and urged peace and unity from the two Countries.
Present at the function were various dignitaries including cultural leaders, the clergy and politicians; ministers Oboth Oboth, Hellen Asamo, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, NRM party electoral chairperson Tanga Odoi graced the event.
Todwong congratulated the Kwar upon celebrating the silver jubilee since his coronation and noted that through cultural institutions, NRM’s message of wealth creation will reach the family level.
