NGO partners with Alur Kingdom to revitalize traditional family and marriage systems

Zombo: In a landmark move, the Global Peace Foundation and Family Peace Association have formally partnered with the Alur Kingdom to revitalize the African traditional family system, with a strong emphasis on the institution of marriage.

The initiative is anchored in the three great blessings: “Be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion over every living thing that moves on earth.” It seeks to strengthen family units and marital bonds as the foundation of a stable society.

The partnership was introduced to the Alur Kingdom by the Chairman of the Uganda Kings and Cultural Leaders Forum, Isabarongo Mwatansozi Mwogezi Butamanya, during his inaugural visit to His Royal Majesty Phillip Rauni Ularker III, King of Alur, on Wednesday, March 25, 2025.

The Chairman, who also serves as the cultural leader (Isabaruuli) of Buruuli, was warmly received by the Alur Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Opar Angala, at the royal court in Dye-Winam, Atyak, Zombo District, at 1:00 PM.

Announcing the collaboration, Isabarongo expressed optimism that the initiative would positively impact the kingdom’s subjects. He also pledged to secure future scholarships for Alur Kingdom subjects from India and underscored the importance of loyalty to cultural institutions.

Dubbed the “Family Movement,” the initiative aims to restore traditional family systems and the sanctity of marriage, which are often characterized by clear roles, strong marital commitments, and deep familial bonds.

These elements are seen as vital for fostering stability, instilling values, and providing emotional support potentially leading to better outcomes for children and a stronger sense of community.

The initiative also aims to champion a predictable and consistent environment, beneficial for children’s development and well-being, while promoting clear roles and shared traditions within marriage and family life to strengthen connections and create a sense of belonging.

The program will launch with a Family Blessing Ceremony, expected to draw over 50,000 participants, on May 16, 2025, at the Commonwealth Resort Hotel in Munyonyo.

According to the organizers, this covenantal ceremony celebrates marriage as a sacred institution. It invites couples both newlyweds committing to matrimony and previously married pairs renewing their vows to solemnly resolve before God to uphold the true family ideal in their homes and communities.

Ezra Bukundani, Country Director of the Family Peace Association, highlighted the initiative’s benefits, noting that 10 individuals per Local Council One unit will be selected and trained to revitalize traditional family and marriage systems.

“We shall have a ceremony bringing together couples from various kingdoms to celebrate the institution of marriage by recommitting to their vows. This team will form a core group, empowered to establish a movement of families dedicated to preserving, promoting, and strengthening marriage and family in their communities,” Bukundani told this publication following the announcement.

The organizations face significant challenges, including a high divorce rate, rampant teenage pregnancies, and single motherhood in the region. In 2021, Alur Kingdom recorded over 10,000 cases of teenage pregnancies, many of which resulted in abandonment by young fathers unable to shoulder parental responsibilities.

According to 2024 statistics from www.modernghana.com, 7% of Ugandans experience divorce or separation every four years, equating to roughly 370,000 people annually.

Traditional parenting and marital roles, which emphasize respect for authority, strong disciplinary foundations, and enduring spousal commitment, have historically been key to teaching children right from wrong and fostering values that support their goals. However, these practices have eroded across many African traditional institutions over time.

Milton Kambale, President of the Global Peace Foundation, emphasized that the initiative aligns with government efforts to prioritize family and marriage. “Family programming should be our top priority. We are coming together to address gaps in our family and marital systems. Even the government, through programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), is focusing on families,” Kambale noted.

He added that buses would be arranged to transport officials from all cultural institutions to the highly anticipated Family Blessing Ceremony on May 16, 2025, at the Commonwealth Resort Hotel in Munyonyo, Kampala.

While marriage and family remain cornerstones of Ugandan society, financial pressures, work-life imbalances, negative cultural beliefs, and moral decline are driving family disintegration. These factors contribute to a perception that traditional marital and family values are fading.

The partnership with Ker Alur aims to tackle endemic domestic violence, a major issue tearing marriages and families apart. According to the 2023 Police Crime Report, 10,792 adult women and 3,243 adult men were victims of domestic violence, alongside 644 girls and 505 boys, with many cases worsened by poverty and marital misunderstandings.

His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III, King of Alur, warmly welcomed the initiative, suggesting that women should take a leading role in its implementation. “In our society, especially in Alur, I believe women are the best implementors of such programs. Involve them, and it will be best executed,” the King advised the partners.

He urged the organizations to engage directly with communities for the initiative to succeed.

The program will emphasize family and marital values to instill moral principles, ethical behavior, and a sense of right and wrong essential for raising well-rounded individuals.

Alur Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Opar Angala, assured the organizations of the kingdom’s unwavering support. “You are like family missionaries to us. We are delighted, and I will lead the mobilization effort to support your mission,” Opar pledged.

The Global Peace Foundation envisions itself as a catalyst for collaborative efforts creating social compacts between governments, multilateral agencies, the private sector, and civil society to address peace and development challenges.

Meanwhile, the Family Peace Association is an international organization dedicated to enlightening humanity by uplifting spiritual consciousness through universal principles and values rooted in God-centered marriages and families.

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