Sugar production could begin in Amuru district as soon as July next year.  You will be excused if you think this is straight out of a fairy tale, for Amuru has built a hard reputation as place where you don’t  kid  with  the land of the poor; where women have mastered the art of weaponising […]

By Vincent Oola I am writing in connection with the article which appeared recently in the Acholi Times on the water crisis in Gulu. The fears that some of us had in the 1970s about the availability of water in and around Gulu and Kitgum have now materialised and undoubtedly it will be more serious […]

The debate on the role of Ugandans in diaspora in shaping the sociopolitical discourses in Uganda is a superficial one. During the election time, we were reminded always by adversaries that those living abroad have fled the frontiers of politics and should first return home to be counted. It is increasingly absurd that when convenient, […]

I read an intriguing piece meticulously written by Mr. Martin David Aliker, a former Gulu Mayoral Candidate. The article titled, “Acholi Elite Losing Identity with Voters,” was published in the Acholi Times on March 11, 2016. The piece made a sobering recollection for many of us who have been critical of the Elite and Elitism […]

Since 2006, the office of Gulu Mayor has failed to attract the elite. A candidate’s academic requirement is not a prerequisite for one to qualify to be a Mayoral candidate. A few months ago, I was invited by a small group of friends for an informal meeting and I was asked to run for the […]

At various stages in the evolution of organisation, humans began a process that gradually led to the eventual transfer of their collective power to something that became the State. The State is supposed to, at least in theory, hold power on behalf of a group of people from whom it derives authority and legitimacy. Why […]

By Robert Adongakulu For better or for worse, the market women—the women in the Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs)—locally called bolicup have emerged as a powerful voting bloc in the just concluded Gulu municipality mayoral race. The issues that touch the hearts and souls of these women are the daily bread issues. Talking about […]

Increasing digital tools and digital protection is becoming an integral part of news and journalistic operations. Professional and citizen journalists alike rely on digital tools to produce and share content. Yet journalists are often inadequately trained in digital security or have no knowledge at all in digital security. This poses the risk of them inadvertently […]

The Acholi refer to voting as bolo kwir; literally meaning placing poison.  The outcome of taking poison normally brings bitterness just like the outcome of a loved one taking poison. Gabrielle Lynch in an article ‘‘Acholi the new swing factor in the 2016 Uganda elections’’ (The East African, November 7) , argued that in 2011, […]

The Daily Monitor (23, January) reported that Uganda Farmers’ Party presidential candidate, Maj Gen (rtd) Benon Biraaro defended the National Resistance Army (NRA), now UPDF, against allegations of committing atrocities in Acholi during the insurgency in northern Uganda. When asked whether he would investigate the massacre claims against the UPDF if elected president, Maj Gen. […]