Lamwo County MP Nyeko Kezekiya Meets Acholi Paramount Chief Over Poverty.
By Okidi Patrick
Gulu City — Lamwo County Member of Parliament Hon. Johnson Kezekia Nyeko has paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Chief of Acholi, His Royal Highness Rwot David Onen Acana II, at the Acholi Cultural Institution Palace in Gulu City to discuss joint efforts to fight poverty in the Acholi sub-region.
Hon. Nyeko said the meeting was aimed at strengthening collaboration between political and traditional leaders to address the persistent poverty, food insecurity, and youth unemployment affecting Acholi despite over a decade of peace.
The MP noted that while government has rolled out programs like PDM, Emyooga, and Operation Wealth Creation, many households in Lamwo and the wider Acholi sub-region still struggle to benefit due to lack of mindset change, land wrangles, and limited agricultural commercialization.
His Royal Highness of Ker Kwaro Acholi Rwot David Onen Acana II welcomed the engagement, saying poverty in Acholi can only be defeated if leaders speak with one voice.
The Paramount Chief said the Ker Kwaro Acholi has been on a community mobilization drive sensitizing households on food production, saving, and protecting customary land from illegal sale, which he said remains a major driver of poverty. d503
Rwot David Acana II emphasized that cultural leaders are now focused beyond conflict resolution to socio-economic transformation, but noted that land wrangles remain a major challenge to development. 9c16
Both leaders agreed on:
1. Unity of purpose between MPs under Acholi Parliamentary Group and Ker Kwaro Acholi to champion Acholi development issues before government. bae9
2. Joint sensitization on productive agriculture, with Lamwo identified as a key food basket.
3. Protection of communal land and encouraging registration of customary land to prevent distress sales.
4. Responsible conduct and fight against social ills like teenage pregnancy and alcoholism that the Paramount Chief has previously warned against. bae9
Hon. Nyeko pledged to support cultural initiatives in Lamwo and to lobby for more agricultural extension, irrigation, and market linkages for farmers in the district.
The meeting ended with a call for continued dialogue between political and traditional institutions to ensure that Acholi’s recovery from the LRA insurgency translates into household wealth.
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