Acholi communities urged to embrace culture, reject harmful practices
He added that justice should be affordable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all women, especially those in rural and vulnerable communities.
Lamwo: Communities in the Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda have been challenged to embrace the positive aspects of their traditional culture while rejecting harmful practices.
The call was made during the commemoration of International Women’s Day at Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The celebrations, held at Paluda Senior Secondary School grounds, were marked under the theme: “Scaling Up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for All Women and Girls in Uganda.”
While addressing participants, Israeli Peter Opolot, a Protection Associate at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), stressed the importance of promoting girl-child education.
He encouraged communities to embrace the positive aspects of Acholi traditional culture while rejecting harmful practices, noting that doing so would help secure a brighter future for women and girls.
“Our communities should embrace the positive aspects of Acholi traditional culture while rejecting harmful practices to secure a brighter future for women and girls,” Opolot said.
According to Tom Sausi, the Chairperson of the Central Organizing Committee for the celebration, the event provided a platform for both women and men to discuss issues affecting them, highlight the achievements of women, and recognize outstanding women whose contributions deserve appreciation.
Sausi added that the celebration also offered residents in the refugee settlement an opportunity to come together and mark the national day.
Speaking to this publication, Joan Aleng, a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Assistant, emphasized the importance of women stepping forward to occupy and lead in available spaces.
She also encouraged the promotion of girl-child education and called for workplaces that are friendly and supportive to women.
Meanwhile, Opogo George, a Program Officer at Street Child Uganda, noted that this year’s theme serves as a reminder that women and girls must not only understand their rights but also have genuine access to justice systems whenever those rights are violated.
He added that justice should be affordable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all women, especially those in rural and vulnerable communities.
The event brought together community members, partners, and leaders within the settlement to reflect on the progress made in advancing women’s rights and to renew commitments toward ensuring justice, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls.
According to data from UNHCR, Palabek Refugee Settlement continues to receive more than 100 refugees weekly and is currently hosting over 96,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.
