Kole District, Uganda — In a press briefing held at Lira City on Tuesday, Hon. Peter Ocen Akalo urged fellow MPs and Ugandans, especially those in the Lango Sub-region, to adopt Tae-Kwon-Do as a way to boost health and fitness. “I can do the training from wherever I am, even in my own house,” he said.
Last weekend, the National Tae-Kwon-Do Championship organized a competition that brought together 15 different clubs from across Uganda. Ocen Akalo emerged victorious, winning two gold medals in different categories, making him one of the best Tae-Kwon-Do players in the country.
Tae-Kwon-Do fighters in the Lango Sub-region commended Hon. Ocen Akalo for his exceptional talent and tactics during the competition. The event took place at Lira Hotel, with 15 clubs participating in the colorful national championship.
He emphasized that Tae-Kwon-Do is not just about fighting, but also about exercise and fitness. “I urge fellow MPs to take it up as a discipline and do whatever exercise they can, wherever they are. Exercise is the only medication. You must ensure that you sweat—just like in Korea, where everyone is entitled to daily exercise,” he added.
Hon. Ocen Peter Akalo also revealed that in August 2025, he will be traveling to Ethiopia for the “International Tae-Kwon-Do Championship,” an event that will include participants from around the world. In 2024, he competed in the East African International Championship in Zanzibar, where he won a gold medal, among other awards, with players from nine East African countries in attendance.
In 2018, he joined the Lira Fitness Club to improve his fitness, in line with the club’s mission. “Last weekend, I won two gold medals at the National Tae-Kwon-Do Championship held at St. Lira Hotel,” said MP Ocen Peter.
Hon. Ocen Akalo won his gold medals in two categories: Pattern (a display of tactics for self-defense and fighting) and Sparring (Kick Boxing), where he outperformed his opponents. The official award ceremony was attended by the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Tom Odur Anang, who represented the Won Nyaci of Lango Cultural Foundation, Yosam Odur Ebii. Yosam Odur Ebii urged for support to be given to the sports teams in Lango Sub-region to help nurture local talent.
He was joined by Charles Osendru, the spokesperson for the Uganda International Tae-Kwon-Do Federation (ITF). According to Osendru, Lango Tae-Kwon-Do Club won 13 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals. Lira Fitness and Health Tae-Kwon-Do Club was second, winning 12 gold medals and 10 silver medals. Uganda Prison Services took third place with 12 gold medals, among other clubs.
Ocen Akalo and Alum Santa Ogwang are recognized as some of the best Tae-Kwon-Do players among MPs in the Lango Sub-region.
