The Acholi Paramount Chief David Onen Acana II has appointed a new prime Minister to head the Acholi Cultural Institution, nearly 10 months after the position became vacant.
Michael Otim 53, a former Minister for Rehabilitation at the Acholi Cultural Institution was unveiled as the fourth Prime Minister on Friday at Ker Kwaro Acholi palace in Gulu City.
Okello Okuna, the spokesperson of the Acholi Cultural institution told journalists in a press briefing that Otim was appointed on April 1st on a three-year-term contract after being approved by the council of chiefs.
Otim replaces Ambrose Olaa who was sacked by Rwot Acana in July last year after eight years in office. Rwot Acana has also appointed two other people to deputize Otim. They are Walter Jok-kene and Martin Okumu, who have been appointed Deputy Prime Ministers in charge of Land and Finance respectively on a three-year term contract.
In his maiden speech, Otim noted that the new team has come up with a clear five-year strategic plan to revitalize the operation of the cultural institution.
He said among the areas the team will focus on is the strengthening of the secretariat to ensure there is a robust system for accountability.
Otim noted that they will also review the current policies in place at the Institution and fix the gaps if any loophole has been identified.
“We are already in the process of looking through the Ker Kwaro Acholi system and we shall put in place a robust system to ensure proper accountability for everything that we do in Ker Kwaro Acholi,” said Otim.
Martin Okumu, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of finance, in a press statement, highlighted the team’s commitment to fostering peace, unity, development, and amicable resolutions of conflicts facing the cultural institution.
He also called on the people in the Acholi Sub-region to partner with Investors to increase land productivity instead of selling land cheaply.
According to Okumu, the community in Acholi can partner through the Uganda Investment Authority, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the District Councils, District Land Boards, Individual farmers, KKA, and can leaders.
“We recommend a win-win form of investments for our people and investments,” he said.
The appointment of the new top members of the Institution’s secretariat comes amidst an ongoing power row at the Acholi Cultural Institution.
In July last year, 15 clan chiefs out of the 57 chiefs under the Acholi Cultural Institution led by the Atiak Clan Chief Richard Santo Apire resolved to oust Rwot Acana from Office.
The Chiefs accused Rwot Acana of allegedly attempting to sell off a piece of land belonging to the cultural institution to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) at 2.5 billion Shillings, misuse of funds, incompetent leadership, and failure to introduce a constitution. Rwot Acana has however denied all the allegations.
Just last week, a team of elders and leaders from the Acholi Sub-region led by former Chua County Legislator John Livingstone Okello Okello passed a resolution calling on the government to halt the payment of emoluments to Rwot Acana until the impasse is resolved.
The elders who had formed a 15-man team of negotiators last year alleged their request to meet with Rwot Acana to resolve the power row was denied.
But the new secretariat has rubbished the allegations arguing that the team of elders has gone against the rule of natural justice by becoming arbitrators in a case where they have already taken sides.
About the new Premier Otim was born on September 3rd, 1970, in Gulu District. He holds 18 years’ work experience as a human rights and peace-building advocate working with grassroots communities in areas of economic empowerment, transitional justice, peace building, human rights, and grant management.
Otim worked as Head of Office for the International Center for Transitional Justice, Co-founder of the Justice and Reconciliation Project, and Executive Director for the Welfare Fund for Children and Youth Uganda. He is currently working with the Ministry of Local Government at the Parish Development Module (PDM) secretariat.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum