FOREWORD: Many reasons to celebrate this Silver Jubilee
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF THE 25TH CORONATION
ANNIVERSARY
25 Years, What a journey!
MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The Padhola today, What milestone
The inaugural tour was a huge success
Pictorial of the Royal tour
THE BIRTH OF A RADIO BROADCASTING SERVICES: TORORO
BROADCASTING NETWORK (Rock City Radio): 20202024
The book on family and gender relations in Padhola
Cultural diplomacy between Jopadhola and Joluo
Nagongera Public Library and Resource Centre (NAPLARC)
AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF PADHOLA, 1650-1999
IT IS STILL A HUDDLE TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY/ PARITY
Africa Women’s University for Science and Technology Tororo (AWUSTT)
Nyasigala – the cradle of Tieng Adhola
HUMILITY: The story of Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor
FOREWORD Many reasons to celebrate this Silver Jubilee
s the jubilarian myself, I have been requested to write a brief foreword to the magazine to be published to highlight the challenges and successes the Institution of Tieng Adhola TACI under my stewardship has recorded in a 25 year period since my Coronation August, 1999 to-date.
First and foremost, I deem it as an honour and privilege to have been asked to write the Foreword, and gratefully thank the Chairman of the organizating committee preparing the coming jubilee celebration - Hon. Jag
In accepting that special privilege to write the Foreword, I realized the topic must be closely related to the genesis of the founding and nurturing of the mother Institution of Tieng Adhola TACI. It must focus on its birth and what prompted it, and the journey of its development, to become an institution of unity and working together of Jopadhola. That leads me to naming that person who stands out as the ‘Founding Father’ of the now flourishing Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution.
That man, worth ever remembering, was Rogers Jassa Kwero. Rogers Jassa Kwero, was an ex-serviceman of the late Dictator Gen. Idi Amin Dada and Dr. Milton Obote II Armies with the rank of Lieutenant, and also an employee of the Lint Marketing Board by the time I came to know him.
He impressed me as a man of integrity, respectable and particularly mindful of other people’s right to be treated well regardless of their economic and social status. He disclosed to me his uneasiness with the way people in Padhola relate with others and particularly the disunity and even hatred among Jopadhola on political and religious differences, which in his own words, was a major retardation.
Mr. Rogers Jassa Kwero server among others Dr. Milton Obote who was twice overthrown in Military coups. The details of those coups are for another day’s narrative. However, some of the reasons which led to them and the consequences are;
• Throwing the country into disunity hatred;
• Looting and indiscriminate killings;
• Conspiracies to eliminate many people for their political parties or religious faiths.
Padhola itself was not spared and many people were killed or displaced. Family broke up, affecting Jopadhola’s social and economic development and denying our people free interactions which foster unity and working together.
Jassa had strong views on this state of affairs, and urged that this artificial barrier must at one stage or another be broken.
True to that wish, Mr. Jassa who was himself now the clan leader (Kwar Nono Loli) of the clans of Padhola, took the first initiative to call a few of his fellow clan leaders at his home in Mulanda village and urged them to seriously think of forming an organ of the clan leaders. He though this new body could rally Jopadhola to come together as a community and think of the ways of restoring unity among them and discourage religious or political divine sentiments and practices.
The clan leaders in the meeting endorsed the idea and pledged to go out and sell the
idea, which they vigorously did, attracting several meetings to pave the way to the envisaged unity.
Finally, a unanimous agreement was made with the name of Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution TACI. A draft constitution which was largely written and corrected by now, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth and Charles Owor a Senior Lawyer in Kampala, was adopted. The draft constitution was carefully scrutinized by the council of clan leaders and Jopadhola legal experts, approved and registered with the Registrar of Documents.
An election to elect a substantive Kwar Adhola was laid at which all the 52 clans of Padhola participated and unanimously elected me as the Kwar Adhola.
Subsequently, I formed a skeleton cabinet to embark on putting the new Institution on the road.
I proposed the name of Mr. Rogers Jassa Kwero, who in any case had been the interim Prime Minister up to the time of the election, to take charge.
As a man keen to nurture the Institution to full growth, he readily accepted the appointment and with him and other cabinet Ministers that I brought on board all agreed to work on voluntary basis since the Institution had no source of generating income.
Amazingly that is what makes TACI what it is. It is the sacrifices that these Ministers, clan council, and elected members of the Supreme council, and other persons of the high moral standing and repute designated as Senior Royal Advisors, and another grass-root Cadres, classified as Jomikwenda or Coordinators selected to represent the interact of the Institution at grass-roots in cooperation with the local Government cadres titled L.C.Chairman, who have worked to make TACI a vibrant and forward marching organ.
Unity among Jopadhola, both at home and those in the Diaspora is firm, let alone with other cultural leaders in Uganda and other African countries.
As the Institution celebrates the installation of its first Supreme Leader the Kwar Adhola, it is also celebrating its own braveness in travelling through very had and trying moments and so visibly display ing its success and the hope of starting ta new journey with firm hope and determination to succeed .
As we settle down to celebrate our yesterday’s successes we cannot fail to pay the highest bout of tribute to that man who showed love for padhola and her, children. May Jassa and his co-founders of the Tieng Adhola Institution remain in our minds and history books.
To them, I say, Gallant Jassa and comrades Jowoyindira
Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution and mother Padhola Jowoyindira
And to all those who have made this occasion by support in finance, materials and moral stances, Jowoyindira.
MOSES STEPHEN OWOR THE KWAR ADHOLA
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF THE 25TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY
No
1. Rt Hon Owor Jag Adrian
2. Rt Hon Oboth Silver
3. Rt Hon Owor Eleazar
4. Rt Hon Mark Olwenyi Omalla
5. Rt Hon Veronica Opendi
6. Rt Hon Ochieng Francis
7. Rt Hon Owere Usher Wilson
8. Rt Hon Oburu Gastafas
9. Rt Hon Olweny John Febian
10. Rt Hon Anna Rose Ndekezi
11. Hon Obbo Oketch Jascience
12. Hon Reki Moses
13. Dr Onyango Jagire
14. Hon Asyep David
15. Dr Ochwo Oburu Solomon
16. Hon Irene Langa Jenkins
17. Hon Topista Nyadoi
18. Hon Betty Andera Osapat
19. Hon Odongo Samuel
20. Hon Owor Silenda
21. Rt Hon Ofwono Hannington
22. Mr Louis Jadwong
23. Rt Hon Misanga Lawrence
24. Rt Hon Asinde Kevin
25. Hon Solomon Wandera
26. Mr Genowere Asaph
27. Mr Owino Odongo Emmanuel
28. Mr Ochieng George
29. Hon Oburu John Stephen
30. Hon Ochola Gabriel
31. Hon Lydia Nyaketcho
EDITORIAL BOARD
• PROFESSOR OCHWO OBURU SOLOMON - CHAIR
• RT. HON. THOMAS OKOTH NYALULU
• RT. HON. FELIX OKUYE
Designation
Chairperson
Secretary/ Chairperson Awards
Chairperson Finance
Chairperson Venue
Chairperson Entertainment
Chairperson Transport
Coordinator, Kampala
Chairperson Security
Chairperson Welfare
Chairperson Liturgy
Chairperson Sports
Chairperson Royal Tour
Chairperson First Aid
Chairperson Publicity
Chairperson Editorial Board
Chairperson Regalia
• MS AIDA KIGEN
• MR LOUIS JADWONG
25 Years, What a journey!
Rt Hon Obbo Richard Josel – Jago (Prime Minister)
The 25 years of the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution is a milestone worth Celebrating. What a journey!
I thank my predecessors, the late Rogers Kwero Jassa and Nicholas Obbo Makola, among others, for the foresight they together with others had on the future of Padhola. Many times, imitating what has already been tried, is much easier in comparison to walking in the wild or jungles, where you are not certain of what you are likely to encounter. In such a walk, in some nasty occasions, one may simply be wolfed by some wild beasts. While, sometimes, the unknown makes others to remain at standstill. These elders, who I may not mention in detail, chose the first option and here we are celebrating their resoluteness.
The Bible in Luke 8:16 says “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. Instead, the person puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in will see the light”. The above quote from the Holy Book fits the description of our cherished Institution, Tieng Adhola.
The Institution has reached, where we are, because Nyikwayi Adhola have willingly worked in unity, in order to achieve the
common vision, the Institution has stood for. Further referring to the above verse, because the light was not kept or hidden in a basket, five Prime Ministers have to date served under, His Royal Highness Moses Stephen Owor. This has helped in furthering the radiance that the lit candle initially provided. I will not enumerate how and what each of the Prime Ministers has done but I can only summarize that the candle still remains on an open stand for all to continue seeing the leap we have taken through the mile stone, we are celebrating today.
The Institution, through the years has registered several achievements that I will attempt to mention some later on. The path that Kwar Adhola has moved Nyikwayi Adhola through is worth thanking God for, the leap and strides so far made! Kwar Adhola being a person of very amiable character, with a sharp memory of the history of Padhola, he has tried, amidst sometimes contradictions, to remain as composed as possible. This quality has made everyone to try, at their best to tow more or less
The impact we see today is the fact that all have been willing to stay where the candle was lit to give light to all. May I continue to urge Nyikwayi Adhola to keep around the lampstand.
It is imperative to note that in the last 25 years, all services rendered by our Ministers and others serving in Tieng Adhola have been purely voluntary. A number of those serving have put in their personal resources to ensure that everything is moving forward. While this kind of service has had its challenges, its worthy noting that many sons and daughters of Padhola have provided invaluable services in one way or another. This kind of support has been exhibited by Hon. Yeri Apollo Ofwono who housed the offices of the Institution for 20 years along the Market Street in Tororo Municipality. The free services rendered by the many Nyikwayi Adhola have equally helped the Institution not only to stand but also to remain strong and tall!
The voluntary services offered by Nyikwayi Adhola has always come in handy. At one point in time in 2006, Nyikwayi Adhola were threatened with adversity of erasing
their famous historical name “Tororo District” that had long been associated with them for generations. Later on, more than 20 legal brains put together by the Institution put strong argument against it in Parliament. They clearly put to the Parliamenterians that this issue was a constitutional matter, which if not handled wisely would put even their elective positions at risk. This effort helped the district to remain intact to date.
The leap the Institution has made today would certainly not be possible without a committed Cabinet and teamwork within the Institution. The day today affairs are always done by the Cabinet with the assistance of our coordinators commonly referred to as the Jumukwenda. The Supreme Assembly being the supreme legislative organ of the Institution always works on what has been refined by the Cabinet. The clan leaders are equally the
The
leadership of Tieng Adhola, encourages all to embrace government programs and support they are currently giving through the PDM, Emyoga, Youth livelihood among others for them to go out of the subsistence bracket. We are confident that with proper mobilization by our team, the future is bright.
the
anchors who work closely with the cabinet to feed on the direction they desire the Institution to go to.
Five years ago, the Institution conceived an idea of formulating her development arm in the name of Tieng Adhola Development Foundation (TADEFO). The idea was to help her in closely working on implementing and giving direction to her strategic plans. As we celebrate the 25 years today, the first brain child of this development arm has been launched namely, the Tororo Broadcasting Network Radio currently trading as Rock City Radio. This is the mouth piece of Tieng Adhola, intended to inform, educate and entertain. Bravo to Kwar Adhola! Brovo to Nyikwayi Adhola! Bravo to TADEFO Board of Trustees! Bravo
The unity of the community, that had hitherto been divided along religious and clan lines is one of the strongest achievements made in this period from the Institutional slogan of “Unity, Peace and Development”. There is still a challenge of having our people fully encircle the third pillar of “development”. Many are still grappling with subsistence activity. The leadership of Tieng Adhola, encourages all to embrace government programs and support that are currently being given through the PDM, Emyoga, Youth livelihood, among others, for them to go out of the subsistence economy. We are confident that with proper mobilization by our team, the future is bright.
Rock city Radio Management Team!
Key Ministers in
TACI cabinet at the 20th anniversary celebrations in 2019
I have worked with a robust team, who have been very supportive in all aspects. The personnel are in all age brackets but without looking at who the leader is, they have worked for the common good of our Institution. When I was appointed the Jago, my greatest ambition was to take the Institution to the people. We have done this by touring and mobilizing our people, now three times in the last seven years. This has made almost all today to feel being part of the Institution. It was equally through our first tour that we found a missing link which later culminated into the appointment of Coordinators (Jumukwenda pa Kwar Adhola) in Sub-counties. This was done by going through the due process of consulting all the Institutional organs to gain both support and approval. It is
worthy noting that this team were not initially fully welcomed by all, some leaders were initially apprehensive of the idea. As we stand today many will agree that these people are providing immediate linkage with the masses and therefore working for the common good of Padhola.
Through the years while a number of challenges still exist, we have today achieved an Institution that is recognized by the government of Uganda. Kwar Adhola is currently the leader of the Council of Traditional leaders in Africa (COTLA) Uganda Chapter, while I the Jago is his immediate helper in the Chapter. COTLA is a pan African movement of progressive traditional leaders, primarily established to promote gender equality; to end child marriages; and to end female genital mutilation and cutting and other harmful practices in Africa by 2030”. The strides and achievements the Institution has made today, has come from the unity of our people under Kwar Adhola. The Institutional radio station has been launched, the Palace for our King is under construction, we have reporting pathways known by many of our people, among others.
I thank God for uniting our people under the umbrella of Tieng Adhola and for the gift of Kwar Adhola. Leaders are chosen by God. The amity, meekness and clearheaded leadership he has provided to us is what has brought us this far!
May God Almighty continue to protect our King! May God continue to grant him good health, prosperity and wisdom.
Kwar Adhola Woyindira! Padhola Woyindira!
MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Greetings to all Nyikway Adhola.
Five years ago in 2019, we had a celebration for the 20th Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola, Moses Stephen Owor with the theme “Celebrating Unity”. That was a momentous event for all the Nyikway Adhola. It is now 25 years down the road since His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola was installed as the cultural leader (King) of the Jopadhola. This year we celebrate a significant milestone, the silver jubilee of his coronation. When we look back 25 years ago (or even 5 years back), we take stock of the achievements that we can be proud of and lay strategies for overcoming challenges we are faced with.
Survival of a group formed by a coalition of 52 independent clans for a continuous 25 years without a crack is in itself an achievement, huge success. That group is the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) that the Jopadhola who care about unity among themselves, work together and have shared purpose are proud of. The degree of cohesion that we have achieved must not be undermined or compromised. We all have a responsibility to contribute to a sustained harmonious relationship wherever we live within Tororo or in the diaspora. We must exert our existence.
When we conceived the idea of organizing the silver jubilee, we came up with a
program of activities leading up to the main celebration on 7th August, 2024. Among the key activities were the Royal tour, the cultural festival, bicycle race and marathon. During the tour His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola visited Nyikway Adhola in different locations in Tororo District, Kampala and Entebbe. The overwhelming reception accorded to Kwara in all the areas visited was a litmus test that the Jopadhola have embraced Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution.
The activities in the cultural festival included performances by learners in primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions, cultural dances, preparation of traditional dishes like magira, show casing, traditional drums and other artifacts. Individual local artists also participated in the festival.
Every event has a theme, and the theme for the silver jubilee anniversary is “Gender parity a prerequisite for sustainable unity, peace and development in a fast changing environment”. Translated into Dhopadhola “Thwolo ma romi ri chwo gi mon mitere ma ridho riwirok, siem gi dongo ipinyi ma wire piyopiyo”.
Gender parity is all about access to equal opportunities for both men and women. This should start right from family level. For now, we cannot claim that that is gender parity among the Jopadhola, let alone Uganda or in any African country, but it is our desire to address this with the support
of partners like International Justice Mission (IJM) and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. With support from IJM, TACI has published Family and Gender Relations guidelines which contain educative and informative messages on good cultural practices, Gender Based Violence, involvement of family members to participate in decision making among others. The Tieng Adhola Leadership has obligation to popularize these messages to make difference in our community.
To organize such a big event requires resources, so we made appeals to different institutions, corporate organizations, partners and well-wishers for support towards the success of the celebration. I want to thank them all for their positive response.
Thanks to the Government of Uganda and His Excellency Yower Kaguta Museveni for providing conducive environment for cultural institutions to operate freely.
I thank Kwar Adhola for his exemplary and wise leadership. I want to say that the Nyikway Adhola would have not got a leader of his match. Long Live Kwar Adhola.
I thank the Jago (Prime Minister) and his team for
their invaluable service, all the Jopadhola for their contributions and our partners for moving with us to make the Tieng Adhola a recognizable institution.
Finally, I thank members of the organizing committee for their tireless efforts that has led to the success of this 25th anniversary celebration.
They did a commendable job.
Long live Kwara Adhola, Long live Padhola. Owor Jag Adrian
1st Deputy Jago / Chairman Organizing Committee
The Padhola today, What A milestone!
BY THOMAS OKOTH - NYALULU
Padhola today 7th August, 2024 is celebrating 25 years of landmark transformation. To our esteemed guests, who are warmly welcome to the celebration, a number of questions must be lingering in their minds as they read this article.
1. What is Padhola?
2. What is Padhola celebrating and why?
3. After the celebrations, so what?
To get these questions answered, let us attempt to show the evolution and the physiology of this entity called Padhola.
What is Padhola?
Over 600 years ago, according to African migration gurus, two brothers together with their followers, setting off from present day South Sudan and moving Southward, landed in some part of present day Tororo District. The two brothers were Adhola and Owiny. It is said that at this point of landing in Tororo, the two brothers could not sustain continued movement Southwards together, leading to their separation.While Owiny and his team continued Southward and eventually entered present day Kenya, Adhola remained in the present day Tororo. Adhola and eventually
Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor and Adha Adhola at the crowning in 1999 in Tororo stadium
his descendants, through bitter wars with some ethnic groups, managed to bring the geographical area covering present day Tororo District under his control. The area became known as the land belonging to Adhola and hence Padhola in the local dilect. The team and the descendants of Adhola became the “Jii pa Adhola” or Jopadhola meaning the people of Adhola occupying the land of Adhola.
So what is Padhola celebrating and Why?
In answering this question the evolution, anatomy and physiology of Padhola have to come into play. The Padhola at that time of Adhola, was a Padhola of probably no clans. However, from the number of Adhola’s sons and their descendants the Jopadhola populations grew and groupings emerged becoming clans of Padhola.
Adhola himself was the Cultural and Spiritual leader of Padhola. He played a significant role of promoting the cultural heritage and traditions of the Jopadhola. He was also the Political Leader of the land, and was responsible for the administration of justice, resolution of conflicts and the promotion of economic development of Padhola. With the demise of Adhola and emergence of clans which became fairly independent, this central authority was lost. So today we are celebrating the successful reestablishment of the central authority as at the time of Adhola, and the central authority has been tested for 25 years, and found working well and cherished by all.
Today the Kwar Adhola, the replacer of the ancestor Adhola, continues to play the important roles, of promoting and protecting Cultural Heritage, resolving conflicts, fostering unity among the Jophadhola wherever they are and promoting the development and education of all. The Adhola has become a highly respected and revered figure among the Jopadhola wherever they are, and the title now is synonymous with wisdom, leadership, cultural heritage and authority.
As said before, today we are celebrating the successful re-establishment of the central
authority for the Jopadhola with the relevant institutional framework to execute it. Our esteemed readers may be asking, “but how did the process of re-establishing the central authority begin?”
By 1995, with the writing of the new constitution of Uganda, the realization that having powerful individual clans of the Jopadhola, without a central authority was disastrous to the Jopadhola as an ethnic group, began to generate concerns in some Jopadhola. The people who developed these concerns began to share them with others. This sharing of the concerns culminated into a meeting of like-minded Jopadola convened by Rt.Hon.Rogers Jassa Kwero (RIP) in his house at Rock High School.
This initial meeting of a handful of the concerned Jopadhola became the proverbial mustard seed, which grew into the mighty Tieng Adhola of today. We are therefore celebrating today the wisdom, the courage and insight of these initial concerned Jopadhola, later on joined by many others.
Included here but not limited to them are:-
His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, Rt. Hon. Rogers Jassa Kwero (RIP) Hon. Onduri Oringo Pa Ateba (RIP), Mr. Ongwen Yona, Mr. Yolam Obbo Pegele, Mr. Othieno Kisote, Rt. Hon. Mark Olweny-Omalla, Rt. Hon. Zachary Ochieng Odoi (RIP), Rt. Hon. Obbo Makoola (RIP), and many others.
Like any other change in society, the change from individual clans’ authority to a central authority was full of challenges. For example, there were some opposed to the central authority fearing it would weaken the clans. There was also opposition from people hitherto well placed socially and economically, who believed leaving them out of the process would make it a non –starter and collapse. Others were, just skeptical and yet others believed that, it is their clans that should control the central authority, if established because they were the ‘anointed’ ones. Therefore, part of the celebration today is for overcoming all the challenges as we journeyed the 25 years.
After the celebrations, so what?
Without fear or favour the end of the celebrations today flags off the beginning of journeying to 50 years of Tieng Adhola. For this phase of the journey to also be successful, a number of things must be put under consideration;
1. Tieng Adhola has become a Cultural Heritage for the Jopadhola and therefore,
it has to be passed on from generation to generation. It is the responsibility of the present generation to put in place waterproof mechanism for the transfer.
2. Cultures the world over are under tremendous tests. The global world has become narrower, making inter-cultural mix and influence inevitable. The demographic structure even among the Jopadhola presents majority to be children and youth (70%). Such a demographic structure may not favour cultural preservation. Therefore purposeful engagement with the youth is a requirement.
3. In the last 25 years Tieng Adhola relied very heavily on the spirit of voluntarism of the Jopadhola to progress to where we are now. Such voluntarism is successful depending on the economic standing of the people. Tieng Adhola therefore needs to apply a two pronged approach to navigate through this. The first is to aim at building self sufficiency through rigorous investment undertakings. The second is to be deliberate in empowering the Jopadhola economically especially, through participation in the opportunities availed by government and other partners.
4. Navigating through the 25 years has revealed that education among the Jopadhola at all levels has and continues to decline. Promotion of education therefore becomes a major area of focus in the next phase of the journey.
5. The World we live in now is dynamic. The operating situations keep changing and this necessitates Tieng Adhola to conform. This will required Tieng Adhola to build capacity to carryout SWOT regularly.
I conclude this reflection by thanking you esteemed reader for allocating part of your precious time to read this article. I trust and believe you have found it worth while.
Kwar Adhola Woyindira, Padhola woyindira
The traditional ceremonies at the crowning
The inaugural tour was a huge success
BY ROSE NDEKEZI
The first ever pre-anniversary Royal Tour of Padhola by Kwar Adhola Moses Owor in June and July was historic for many reasons.
Not only did the Kwar Adhola and his team at TACI meet excited subjects in a completely new setting, but big lessons on the state of Padhola were there for all of us to see. It ranged from the education levels, awareness about citizens’ role in their own development, the commitment
or not of teachers, local leadership levels and the economic status of Jopadhola- all was on display.
Preparations for the events were often concluded at the eleventh hour by the hosts, meaning, supervision is key in any situation of life even in Padhola , leadership is important and more so, quality leadership.
It was at Sop-Sop, Paya, Kirewa, Kisoko and Osia that showed that despite the difficulties, Padhola still has some good
Kwar Adhola loves children. Here he takes photos with a young boy.
leadership at the grassroots. God bless those leaders. Padhola needs them and other leaders could network with them There is still a need for continuous mobilization and sensitization of our people for the struggle for a common good.
Whereas the government of Uganda has employed practical services to sail Ugandan children to social economical advancement, a lot more of our teachers have a lot to be desired. We were able to see innovative teachers and sluggish ones. A lot of people blame the government for not doing this and that, but government employees have let this government down.
We also learnt that, other than the MPs, the rest of our local politicians, are not on the ground, they are not working with their voters, each group is on its own. But the beautiful part is that, our societies have people born to lead and guide society voluntarily. This is very good for our future, a lot of guided leadership is going on in the community by the citizens themselves.
We have learnt and it’s true, that many rats can’t dig a pit. Those few gentlemen and Ladies who gave their time to accompany His Royal Highness during the tour did great work. We applaud them for the support and sacrifice employed.
We learnt that, the population has an 80% sample of people who don’t care about what goes on around them, the reason why our families, community, society and our country Uganda has taken longer to develop to a desired standard. A lot of resources are provided by the government, but only lands in a few hands , hence increased imbalanced growth. Whom to blame, the population itself.
We learnt that, the extension services are lacking in the society our people live in, we were not able to feel the presence of most government workers in Padhola.
We thank religious leaders and Uganda police who were visible in all the venues His Royal Highness toured. They earned themselves credit. Kudos to the Boda Boda fraternity who were ever present.
All that aside, this 25th coronation anniversary, has been embraced, by quiet a good number of people both here and in the diaspora. PADHOLA OYINDERE
Pictorial of the Royal tour
THE BIRTH OF A RADIO BROADCASTING SERVICES: TORORO BROADCASTING NETWORK (Rock
City Radio): 2020-2024
By Geresom Okecho-Ochwo
1. Introduction
The Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) considered among its strategic priorities the establishment of a Radio/Media station to enhance socioeconomic development. It was done out of the belief that information is power in the modern world. Through it, culture can be preserved and people empowered in many respects.
To achieve the dream, Rt. Hon Josel Richard Obbo the Jago/Prime Minister of Padhola, on behalf of the Institution, commissioned a team of 30 eminent Jopadhola within and outside Uganda in May, 2020 to take the lead in this project. About Ushs, 600 million was required.
2. Major Radio activists in the mobilizing funds
Many people within and outside the country actively supported the Radio project. Here we can mention only a handful. Despite many challenges, none of them gave up the collective dream.
The project design, specifications, management, and consulting services were undertaken pro-bono virtually by Eng. Chrispine Othieno Wonlowo free of charge- thus saving many costs.
With all the required financial ethics, CPA Constant Mayende managed the funds. Prof Robert Steven Owor rendered technical advice on ICT and so did Mr. Solomon Osinde who hosted hundreds of online meetings. With rising
challenges, the diplomats and sociologists - Amb (RTD) Bernadette Olowo, Dr George Odongo, Ms. Therese Anne Nkutu and Ms. Beatrice Nyachwo were effectively alert. Ms. Keto Nyapendi Kayemba, Dr Roseline Achola and Ms. Agatha Nyachwo Oginere handled network issues while Media and related activities were handled by Mr. David Jackson Oboth (RIP). The other person who helped the project to make headway is M/s Beatrice Nyachwo.
3. General overview of expenditures
Money was spent on the following:
1) purchase of key requisite equipment,
2) erecting of high-end radio studio and transmission equipment from WaveArt and GAxel Tech Italy.
3) Erecting a 45-metre-high guy wire mast, palisade picked fence, transmitter and generator house on top of Tororo rock
4) Purchase of two automatic standby Perkins generator sets
5) Inevitable purchase and establishment of online radio in January 2022 as a stop-gap for live broadcast due to delayed issuance of broadcasting license and frequency by UCC.
4. Challenges encountered
Amidst these achievements the committee encountered horrendous challenges that included:
1) Delay in issuance of licence by Uganda Communications Commission (as noted above)
2) securing studio premises
3) inadequate commitment by potential donors leading to large amounts of unfulfilled financial pledges and shortage of funds
4) dishonesty exhibited by contractors and equipment suppliers
5) and shouldering huge financial burden by Committee members.
6) broadcasting on wrong frequency because the contractor had swapped the approved transmitter and receiver with unauthorized set.
5. Special Gratitude
The Radio project faced several challenges as
This signal/power station was built on top of Tororo Rock for the radio
already observed above.
For example, obtaining operating license and frequency from UCC took two years from early 2021 to December 2022. Equally challenging was funding of the costs and securing a base for operations. We have to salute the following for their special contributions in these matters:
1) Ms. Keto Nyapendi Kayemba of Biranga Nyakang’o clan and Assistant Auditor General (RTD) for initiating and closely following the process with UCC.
2) Hon Jacob Markson Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) deserves a big thank you for intervening.
3) Ambassador (RTD) Bernadette OlowoFreers for this spirit of magnanimity of offering her premises at modest rental rates arising from her love for Padhola.
4) HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, and secured UGX 200 million. We do appreciate HE the President of the Republic of Uganda for his generous support to the project.
We also hail of Hon Jacob M. Oboth, MoDVA, HRH Moses Steven Owor, The Kwar Adhola for the initiative to meet His Excellency for the purpose.
5) Bendo and Koyo clans who contributed UGX 4 million each of the targeted UGX 5 million that was expected from every Padhola clan.
6. Ongoing broadcasting Programs
The efforts of committed Jopadhola have enable us to enjoy hybrid programs so far. These are as shown below:
1) Programs are currently in Dhopadhola, Ateso, English and Luganda.
2) Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TickTok, X, and YouTube. Live streaming streamed online.
3) Sports commentary
4) live cross-cutting talk shows.
5) Drama will soon be introduced.
6) Live broadcastings covering large areas as far as Tororo, Busia, Bugiri, Iganga, Kamuli, Kayunga, Namayingo, Namutumba, Butaleja, Mbale, Namisindwa, Bududa, Manafwa, Pallisa, Butebo, Budaka, Kibuku, Mayuge.
7) On the Kenyan side the listenership reaches Busia (Kenya), Siaya, Bungoma, and Kakamega.
The success of this radio was firmly founded on joint efforts by willing individuals who put their hands together and sacrificed at least a coin to whom everybody should be grateful. For sure their names will be printed in the annals of history of Padhola.
I thank the leadership of HRH Moses Steven Owor The Kwar Adhola, The Jago and their teams for his visionary leadership generally and for the radio project in particular Rt Hon Josel Richard
Obbo Jago/Prime Minister and his Cabinet for unwavering support and guidance; our political leaders Hon Jacob M. Oboth MoDVA, and Hon (Dr) Emmanuel Otaala for, among other aspects, honouring their pledges amounting to tens of millions of Shillings.
7.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I take cognizance of the fact that the vision of the ROCKCITY Radio Board of Directors, the Radio Committee and that of the Cultural Institution are in consonance –ROCKCITY Radio will become number one radio station and media centre in the greater Eastern Uganda and near Western Kenya. The shortmedium strategy is for us to acquire own home for the radio studio and establish a television station.
Long live HRH The Kwar Adhola, long live Padhola
Geresom
Okecho-Ochwo
CHAIRPERSON
BOARD/FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
The book on family and gender relations in Padhola
By Anthony Okech
The theme of this year’s Kwar Adhola’s 25th Coronation Anniversary celebrations is, “Gender parity a prerequisite for sustainable unity, peace and development in a fastchanging environment”. This is very much in line with one of the key areas of focus of Tieng Adhola’s work.
In collaboration with the Government of Uganda and civil society partners, Tieng Adhola has for a number of years now been engaged in campaigns and other activities to eliminate domestic and gender-based violence and promote good family relations. Among those activities was the publication of a bilingual book entitled Guidelines on Family and Gender Relations of the Jopadhola in Dhopadhola and English – October 2023. The book was published with support from the International Justice Mission (IJM), which has worked with Tieng Adhola since 2020.
The reason why Tieng Adhola requested IJM to support the preparation and publication of this book is that there is belief by some that traditional culture promotes gender inequality and violence against women. Tieng Adhola leadership wanted to find out the level to which this was true or not in Padhola so as to document, preserve and promote the good principles and practices of the Jopadhola, particularly with regard to family and gender relations.
As development and change occur, it happens that some Jopadhola, especially the younger ones, get confused and have doubts about these principles and practices of the Jopadhola. This happens to some of them because they grow up in schools far from home and do not have
the opportunity to learn Adhola culture. As they meet people from other nationalities, and read publications and watch films portraying other cultures, they learn those other people’s thinking and practices and confuse them with those of the Jopadhola.
For that reason, Tieng Adhola considered it important for the Jopadhola to agree on the good principles and practices that they have traditionally valued and document them so that all Jopadhola can read and understand these good principles and practices.
It would be important to document all aspects of the culture, and that may eventually be done, but there is a special
Kwar Adhola and the eldest princess, Jane Kabale
urgency to document the culture related to family and gender relations because the family is the foundation of the community and there is growing recognition of the role that culture plays in domestic and gender-based harmony or violence.
What is documented in the book can be used to educate Jopadhola how to live in harmony and develop the home. It shows how to reduce or eliminate gender based violence and to guide the development of homes and Padhola as a whole. Since there are laws of Uganda concerning gender and family relations, this book also helps to explain what those laws of Uganda say. The Jopadhola should know and accept that where their principles and practices do not agree with the laws of Uganda, it is those laws of Uganda that must be followed.
Although Jopadhola are a community of people with a generally common culture there are some variations in practices and it was necessary to establish what is accepted by all and then come up with a common
position. Therefore, the team that worked on producing this publication first carried out a survey among the clans of Padhola by meeting three selected representatives from each clan and interviewing them on the relevant principles and practices in their clans. The cultural principles within the clan are homogenous. Consulting all Jopadhola clans was therefore expected to bring out all the cultural principles and practices of the Jopadhola.
The committee used the findings to prepare the draft of this publication. The draft was presented to the Supreme Assembly of the clans of Padhola who accepted it in principle with some recommendations for improvement.
The committee then prepared another draft that was submitted to IJM for their comments. After taking into consideration the comments from IJM the committee refined the draft, which was then presented to a meeting of Tieng Adhola leadership and IJM for validation and permission to publish the book.
The book was launched in December 2023 and is already widely used and becoming popular among the Jopadhola.
The team that worked to prepare the book between 2021 and 2023 consisted of: Anthony Okech – Third Deputy Prime Minister (Team Leader); S. M. Obbo Londo, Attorney General and Minister for Constitutional Affairs; Joseph Ochwo Demba, Speaker of the Tieng Adhola Supreme Assembly; Raphael Owere Onyango (RIP), former Prime Minister; Constance Adeka, Deputy Speaker; Veronica Opendi, Minister for Education; Eleazar Owor, Minister for Finance; and Mary Kevin Asinde, Minister for Gender and Women Affairs.
Cultural diplomacy between Jopadhola and Joluo
By Prof Pontian Godfrey Okoth
Kenya and Uganda have benefited in the past through cultural diplomacy of their citizens. As neighbors, the two countries share a lot in common culturally. The two are members of the Being members of East African Community (EAC) is another advantage. Both share common problems, challenges such as political violence, terrorism, food scarcity, resource conflicts and many others. For these countries to develop and match with the developed countries, collaborative actions are needed to address these challenges.
Cultural diplomacy is one of the ways that can help nations and nationalities improve their relationship, prosper in economic
growth and aid in creating a better foundation to trigger growth in future.
Institutions of cultural diplomacy between Jopadhola and Joluo
Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) established in 1999, is the umbrella by which cultural diplomacy of Jopadhola is practiced. TACI is headed by his Royal Highness, Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor. He came to the throne in 1999 through unanimous consensus. Therefore, at the apex of organogram is Kwar Adhola. Below him is the Jago (Prime Minister), the current one being the Rt. Hon. Josel Richard
Luo elders from Kenya visited Kwar Adhola before COVID-19. This is at the building site for the Palace to be
Obbo. Under Jago are Deputy Prime ministers, Honorable Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers, Senior Royal Advisors and at the bottom are Jumikwenda(Kwar Adhola’s representatives at the subcounty level). The legislative arm of TACI, the Supreme Assembly, is headed by the Speaker.
In international relations Jopadhola have close diplomacy with Joluo Nyanza of Western Kenya. They’re united by virtue of history and culture following their migration pattern and settlement. They are categorized as the Southern Luo as opposed to the Northern Luo composed of Acholi, Alur and to some extent, Langi. Thus, Jopadhola and Joluo share a lot in common.
In Kenya, the Luo Council of Elders was established in 1947 during the formation of the Luo Union- an umbrella body to unite Luo people all over East Africa. It was headed by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who became the first Ker of the Council.
The Council doesn’t have a formal organogram as TACI. However, members of the Council work closely with Ker on different programmes to forge unity. Ker is the custodian of the rich Luo culture. He is also a symbol of social, cultural and political unity of the Luo people.
Apart from the pioneer Ker, (Jaramogi Oginga Odinga) other past Kers include William Ouko, Joel Omer, Paul Mboya, Adala Otuko, Koyo Opien (he was Ker for only five months and died), Riaga Ogalo, Opiyo Otondi and the current Ker, Odungi Randa, the ninth Ker. The position is held for life. Upon his death, a new Ker is elected by the Council of Elders.
The position of Ker is rotational. The current
Ker, Odungi Randa, hails from Kano in Kisumu County.
After the above analysis of cultural diplomacy, it is imperative to demonstrate how cultural diplomacy in particular and diplomacy generally, is conducted. This is done through tracks of diplomacy.
Instruments of cultural diplomacy between Jopadhola and Joluo
The two nationalities interact through many avenues. Two of these are music and cultural sites. Beginning with music, Luo music has been popular in Padhola for a long time. There are about three types of Luo music. First, the traditional Luo music called Nyatiti. This type of music is performed in the villages for entertainment. Its popularity is declining. Second, is Luo Benga type of music. It is a genre of music that has been popular but its popularity has been fading away since the mid 2000’s. Third, is what can be termed as modern type of Luo music. This features a combination of songs in Dholuo, Kiswahili and English. It’s mainly computer-generated. This form of music is popular with the Luo youth.
Renown artists are Emma Jalamo, Prince Anda, Prophet Janabi, Ositokale, Okach Bigi, Princess Julie, Dola Kabari, among others. The musical instruments include the guitar (for modern music), drum made of pien ng’ech (alligator skin) and ajawa (shakers).
Meanwhile, Padhola traditional music is characterized by Fumbo (the long drum whose top is made up of pien ngech-alligator skin). It is played together with Tongoli (the harp) and teke (a piece of curved wood played by hitting hard with two sticks).
The combination of the three makes music awesome and dance fantastic. Currently, the major players are Ogwang Ayunda, a group called Adhola United led by Okech jang’ech and Jafuonji Michael.
Falling in the category of traditional music is Achiel, only played during sorrowful occasions such as burial
and Lumbe (last funeral rite). The dominant artist that for a long time was associated with Achiel was the late Adonyo who was also famous for rain-making among Amor Kagulu Adundo clan. However, its significance is declining due to social changes in Padhola.
The changes include the coming into vogue of a new kind of music and its attendant artists. The music is a blend of guitar and Fumbo supplemented by the piano. It is largely computer-generated. Okecho Munyole and others who prefer to use pseudonyms such as Torny Preacher, Young Bee 44, Master Eagle, Twitter, Sister Dina, Kizito Two, Mad Boy, Poxy are proprietors. Most of the songs are educative and carry messages of caution and warning in life situations.
Cultural sites are other means to promote cultural diplomacy between Jopadhola and Joluo. In Luoland, cultural sites include Dd Mikay which is a cultural house visited by both Joluo and tourists from other parts of Kenya and beyond. Kit Mikay in Kisumu, a religious and cultural site in a place called Seme is a unique site with huge stones on top of each other. Got Ramogi at Sakwa in Bondo, Siaya County is a sacred site, a home of the ancestor of Joluo called Ramogi. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
mausoleum (the large, imposing tomb where he was buried) is both a cultural and tourist site in Bondo, Siaya County. Oginga Odinga was Kenya’s first vice president and the doyen of opposition politics in that county.
The cultural sites in Padhola include the Palace of Kwar Adhola in Magoro zone Tororo Municipality. It is both home of Kwar Adhola and the burial ground of Adha Adhola. The Palace as the headquarters of Jopadhola witnesses many cultural functions. These include the hosting of dignitaries by His Royal Highness. A typical case was when Ker Ryaga Ogalo visited Kwar Adhola for three days, November 5-7, 2019. This enhanced cultural diplomatic activities between Jopadhola and Joluo.
Other cultural sites that can promote tourism and cultural diplomacy are;
1) Nyasigala in Mulanda
2) Olwa Makiywomere iye (a mysterious mvule tree in Pagoya zone, Matindi where even if one was extremely tired, one shouldn’t dare rest under it)
3) Kaliel (tomb) of Majanga in Senda- an important place in the history of Padhola. Majanga was the champion of colonial resistance in Padhola.
A Luo elder shows Kwar Adhola traditional fighting skills
Musicians excite women to dance at a function at Mariko Owor’s home in Tawojwok, Ssesera near the Seminary in Nagongera in 2017
4) Kaliel P’ Oloo Dewo in Amagoro 5) Maundo Rocks,
6) Nyakiriga in Sere, a long-standing cultural site of tourist attraction. Historically, Jopadhola use it as sacred place of worship
7) Mwelo Rock 5, Rogot,
8) Ot myel rothur in Katandi, 9) Tororo rock - a cultural site historically known as the Jerusalem of Jopadhola
Cultural conferences
As stated earlier, conferences are important in enhancing cultural diplomacy between Jopadhola and Joluo. The Luo conference held in Kisumu City between 23rd and 25th March, 2024 is an example. The TACI delegation led by the Rt. Hon. Jago, Richard Josel Obbo re-awaken long waited unity and solidarity between the two communities within and beyond. Cultural diplomacy was at its best during the conference. It was also an occasion to pay tribute to Ker Opio Otondi who had earlier passed away on March 4, 2023.
Thus, in both mourning and merrymaking, cultural diplomacy plays critical roles to enhance solidarity between the two communities.
As much as culture can’t solve all challenges that Jopadhola and Joluo face, there are other benefits. It can aid both nationalities via cultural diplomacy to gain prestige, nurture potentialities, encourage more respect; and win recognition from East Africa and beyond. Youth of both communities can create cultural platform for mutual diplomatic interactions.
To conclude, the multiple tools of cultural diplomacy named above are monumental in helping boost economic prosperity of Padhola and Luo. In this regard, TACI and the Luo Council of Elders should cascade their powers to ensure sustainable diplomacy and prosperity of the two institutions. Cultural relations with each other and other nationalities within the Great Lakes Region and globally is imperative.
Nagongera Public Library and Resource Centre
(NAPLARC )
An Icon for Educational Development in Eastern Uganda
1. An overview
Nagongera Public Library and Resource Centre was started in 2018 as an initiative of one person. It was done in the backdrop of rising decline in education in West Budama and eastern Region of Uganda in general. Schools in both primary and secondary schools in the region that used to excel in national examinations were no more.
This itched the conscience of the author of this work to gather support from colleagues and authorities around Nagongera Town Council where the library is now located. The response was overwhelming. Through material moral and financial support by those who believed that it is important to give back to community; and selfsacrifice the dream became a reality.
On 20th, April 2022 during World book and Copyright Day celebrations Naplarc was launched by The Kwar Adhola His Royal Highness Moses Stephen Owor. The library was chosen as national Venue for the great occasion. The library is led by a board composed of education enthusiasts who believe in education as key to societal development.
2. Objectives
Among others the following were the major objectives of starting library facilities in Nagongera were to:
a) Promote the culture of reading and writing
b) Supplement government effort to promote education and literacy in the country
c) Enhance and preserve cultural values through documentation of traditional literature such as myths, legends, stories, poems wise saying proverbs, riddles and so on
d) Ignite love for formal education by providing a variety of reading materials
e) Link West Budama and Eastern region in particular with external world
f) Promote computer literacy among the people at all levels
g) Strengthen learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by availing necessary resources and personnel
h) Provide facilities for community empowerment through sensitization and training in various fields of human endeavor
i) Integrate sports and talents development and learning by youth
Dr
Solomon Ochwo discussing with the chief Librarian
3. Achievements
For the last six years of existence Naplarc has made the following key achievements:
a) It has won support of National Library of Uganda (NLU) that regularly provides essential resources and services
b) Over 10,000 books have been donated to equip the institution- by Book Aid Internation
c) Capacity building of human is resource is achieved through training for example on 30th, July 2024 Book aid International trained the five members of staff on Rachel program reading materials
d) Makerere University Centre for Basic Research has donated five big boxes of doctoral theses and dissertations- in addition to individuals such as Dr. Henry Mwebaze and family (20 Holy Bibles) Mr. Okongo Ofumbi (assorted reading materials worth Ushs. 30 million). Mr. Wendo, John Martin Owor, Solomon Osewe are among donors of books. The list is long.
e) Book Aid International donated several Tablet computers for multipurpose learning
f) Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has supplied the library with good number of computers with nearly all internet facilities.
g) The Chairperson of the Board developed working relations with other libraries in Africa when he was elected as Chief Moderator of Literacy Promoters Africa Community of Practice (LIPA COP) in 2022- with rise to chairperson of Community Libraries Association of Uganda
h) Donation of five book shelves by Sam Owor Rotary Club of Tororo with more promises still on the way
i) Town council has donated Land to build a permanent home with sports center to be attached
j) People of good will have donated assortment of materials. We are grateful
k) Computer classes are going on and certificates are to be offered to candidates
l) New libraries in Paya Primary school, Nabiyoga Town Council and Merikit Town Councils are underway. Leadership of Nagongera Library intents to initiate a library in every urban establishment, schools and village.
4. Readership
The readership is growing each day mainly by school goers. By this month statistics show that over 9000 people have visited the library mainly for knowledge. Users come as far as Tororo Town. Two Doctoral candidates and three undergraduates visiting the library for research reason.
5. Services being provided
a) Reading, study and research free of charge
b) Lending section
c) Computer training
d) Tablets that have Booksmart World Reader and Remote Access for Community Learning (RACHEL) for
6. Challenges
a) There is no space for facilities. We are squeeze in former Courtroom which we share with magistrate during court proceedings. We ask people of goodwill and authorities for rescue. We urgently need a permanent home/ library block
b) Bookshelves, chairs, tables, tents, overhead projector for facilitating training.
c) Sports equipment (football, netball, indoor games, volley balls for youth are still lacking) We ask readers of this article to consider support
d) Salary and wages still lacking. Volunteer system and support by individuals are not sustainable
e) Limited motivation by elite class to visit the library due to poor reading culture
Prepared by: Solomon Ochwo-Oburu
Chairperson Nagongera Public Library and Resource Centre
Email: solochwo@gmail.com
Telephone &WhatsApp +256 701830160
AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF PADHOLA, 1500-1999 Prof
PG Okoth & Dr Y Ogolla
The Jopadhola were part of migrant groups of Luo people who moved from Bar-El-Ghazel in South Sudan and eventually pressed their way southwards through Teso and Kaberamaido till they reached Budama in present Tororo district around 1650. Adhola moved with his brother Owiny who led a groupthrough Tororo to western Kenya1 .
The group that remained in Tororo under Adhola later constituted the present Jopadhola ethnic group which developed a distinct social, political and economic system that survived and served as their identity, and later realized unity and harmonious interaction with the
1 Crazzolara, 1950
2 Ogot, 1996
3 Ogot, 1967
environment2 .
Jopadhola are found in present Tororo district, predominantly in WestBudama County. By the time they arrived, the area was a mere geographical expression with scarse population. They finally settled in what came to be known as Budama region.
The migrants then embarked on massive clearing of the forests for settlement and cultivation. It was largely a peaceful settlement which saw the emergence of settled lifestyle, unity of diverse family groups or clans and the role of elders as major stake holders in the political and cultural transformation of the society. The predominant core Luo clans included the Amor, Biranga, Nyapolo and Koi3 .
Jopadhola later on interacted, sometimes violently with neighboring ethnic groups that had settled in the region, for example the Gisu, Nyole, Soga and later the Iteso who were pastoralists looking for pasture and water. The first groups of Iteso arrived around 1810-1840 and settled in Kuapa. With time, the number of Iteso increased especially in the eastern part of Budama4 .
As a result of this increase, the colonial state later on granted a county status to east Budama later named Tororo. This marked the beginning of Iteso spirit of separation and fight for recognition as independent ethnic entity.
The Jopadhola therefore, migrated and settled in Budama region, tamed the environment and secured it for human habitation. They evolved into a society
4 Oboth, 1960; Ogot, 1967
5 Oboth, 1960; Burke, 1964
held together by common ethnic consciousness as the Jopadhola people, bound together under the Bura cult and the worship of Nyakiriga god.
Jopadhola possessed a political cultural community with strong clan units that evolved from close association of several families headed by elected leaders that ensured justice, development and transformation. Clans and lineages were corporate bodies that constituted the individuals center of identity, reference, reputation and pride. Clan leaders therefore, possessed tremendous political and cultural authority. They were patrons of development activities5 .
It was in this clan based system that Majanga emerged into the political history of Padhola. He soon became a Hero because he combined several atttribues:
he was a member of Nyapolo Ogule clan, the supreme clan, possessed powers of divination, a military leader, a fore-teller and charismatic personality. He used these qualities to unite all Padhola clans into one political entity thus, becoming the father of Padhola traditional heritage.
Jopadhola also possessed aspects of socialization that included distinct social structures, rules and regulations regarding issues such as marriage, death, religion, the family, social relations, leisure time and gender relations. In all these activities, however, the patriarch remained dominant with gender relations seriously skewed against women and the girl child6
Jopadhola were mixed farmers who reared domestic animals and cultivated food crops for subsistence. Barter trade was practiced both among the Jopadhola
6 Burke, 1964; Mbiti, 1985
7 Burke and Southhall, 1956
and with neighboring communities.
It was in these social-political and economic situation that in 1903,colonial rule reached Padhola through the medium of Baganda agents headed by Semei Kakungulu. Padhola was subsequently divided into local government administrative units basing on the Buganda hierarchical system, manned by Baganda agents, later by locally appointed indigenous chiefs. They were empowered to keep law and order, collect taxes and implement colonial government policies7
Colonial rule was preceded in Padhola by the coming of Christianity. By 1902, both the Roman Catholics and Church Missionary Society had already established themselves in Padhola. However, they brought with them elements of disunity and conflict that started in Buganda.
Right from the beginning, the Protestant Church identified itself with the colonial state. Both groups started massive recruitment of converts into their faiths. The Catholic missionaries started with the ruling Nyapolo Ogule clan in Senda. Nagongera Mission was established in 1913 and by 1930, the CMS was already in Kisoko8 .
It is on record that the Christian Churches spearheaded formal education in Padhola. The Roman Missionaries opened a primary school in Nagongera in 1931. By 1925, there were several mission schools in many parts of Padhola. The Catholic Church especially played a vital role during the periods of famine and epidemics. However, Christianity divided Jopadhola into two hostile factions of Catholics and Protestants. This later on affected the unity and political development in
Padhola9. Jopadhola therefore, found themselves in the colonial situation in which the government introduced the money economy, payment of taxes, and mandatory cultivation of cotton as a cash crop whose prices and marketing were determined by the state through the Indian middlemen. By this arrangement, Padhola was integrated with the world wide capital system10 .
Local government was manned by a hierarchy of appointed chiefs headed at the top by the Saaza chief and the District Commissioner as the overall boss. A legal system was established with local guards to ensure compliance with colonial policies. The chiefs in particular, most of whom were Protestants, performed their duties with a lot of force and unfairness to their own people. There were cases of brutality, unlawful arrests and detention, forced labor, corruption and unfair tax assessment and collection. These led to violent protests of 1905 and 1960. At some point, the colonial state was thrown into confusion by the state of disunity among Jopadhola clans and between the Jopadhola and the Iteso community based in Tororo. The NyapoloOgule clan which was the dominant clan and predominantly catholic wanted to rule Padhola. This could not be allowed by the other clans, most of which were Pentecostals. They had many of their children who had obtained
8 Okoboi; 1964; Kauta,2007
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid
formal education, they also had the support of the colonial state. The Iteso wanted to be recognized as an independent ethnic group. The Jopadhola could not allow this kind of development. The colonial state decided in 1938, to divide Budama County into East and West. Both religions and inter-clan conflicts were serious problems in Padhola11
The selection and recruitment of chiefs was based on factors that included patron-client relations, religion, kinship protégé relations, education, the way people kept their homes and engaged in agriculture. They were mainly engaged in tax collection, social welfare development, colonial economic development and ensuring food security12 .
Colonial rule disrupted the indigenous political structure when they defeated,
11 Traddle, 1993; Ogola, 2016
12 Kabwegyere, 1995
13 Ibid.
captured and imprisoned Majanga in Jinja. Gender relations were skewed in favor of men, at district level, Jopadhola were at odds with the Iteso, at Padhola level, there were divisions based on religion and clan differences13
This kind of situation transcended the post-independence period till 1986 when the NRM government came to power and introduced revolutionary changes that included the recognition of traditional cultural organizations throughout the country. This was included in the 1995 Uganda constitution.
It was in response to this development that the Jopadhola clan elders took a bold step to establish the institution of Tieng Adhola under His Highness KwarAdhola, Moses Stephen Owor, whose coronation is being celebrated on this 7th day, August, 2019.
Depiction of Jopadhola warriors in the 19th century
IT IS STILL A HURDLE TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY & PARITY
BY TEZIRA JAMWA
Globally, n o country has fully attained gender equality. Scandinavian countries like Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden lead the world in their progress towards closing the gender gap.
Research shows that in these countries, there is relatively equitable distribution of available income, resources and opportunities for men and women. The regional score for gender-equality for East Africa is 51.8%, according to recent research.
On the continent of Africa, regional average scores show that Southern Africa has less inequality between women and men with a score of 61.3%. Regional scores for North, central and West Africa are lowest at 40.3%, 42.2% and 43.7% respectively.
Gender equality is a human right, but our
world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities and decision-making power
for women and men.
Throughout the world, women have fewer opportunities for economic participation than men, less access to basic and higher education, greater health and safety risks and less political representation.
Guaranteeing the right of women and giving them opportunities to reach their full potential is critical not only for attaining gender equality, but also for meeting a wide range of international development goals.
Empowered women and girls contribute to the health and productivity of their families, communities and countries , creating a ripple effect that benefits everyone.
The word gender describes the socially constructed roles and responsibilities that societies assign and consider appropriate for men and women. Gender equality means that men and women have equal power and equal opportunities for financial independence, education and personal development.
Women empowerment is a critical aspect of achieving gender equality. It includes increasing a women’s sense of self – worth, her decision – making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her power and control over her own life, inside and outside the home, and her ability to effect change.
Current and former MPs, Middle are Jamwa, Opendi and Grace Oburu, flanked by current Defence Minister Oboth Oboth and Municipality's Yeri Ofwono
According to the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda there are 24,000 elective positions which both men and women can compete for.
Many women are able to put up a spirited fight with men in various elective positions, right from LCI chair to national level. Women should compete for LC III chairperson seat, Mayor, LC 5 chair, the direct seat for member of parliament even up to the level of presidency of this country.
In the 1996 parliamentary elections, I took a shot at the direct seat. I competed with men and I overwhelmingly won the elections and effectively represented the people of West Budama Constituency.
I became the first Japadhola women to go to parliament on a direct seat under the NRM Government. I was also the first Japadhola woman to compete with men in West Budama Country.
It is not easy for a woman to compete for a direct seat as it is always treated as mens’ seat. The first time I was lucky, but second time I was not as lucky as gender issues were used to demean me as a woman candidate. I was seen as fighting for the mens’ seat instead of going for an Affirmative Action seat!
Article 32 of the constitution was included in the constitution to reduce the imbalances that exist between men and women particular in elective office. Affirmative Action is in favour of marganalised special interest groups that include women, youths, workers and people with disabilities.
Since then, we have had two Japadhola women picked to representTororo District under the Affirmative Action.
Hon. Grace Oburu represented Tororo district under affirmative action in the 8th parliament in 2011. The other in 2011, 2016 and 2021 is the current women member of parliament for Tororo District Hon. Sarah Opendi.
Before that, Sarah Opendi stood for constituency MP Seat in Tororo Municipality but lost twice before opting for the Affirmative Action seat for Women. The reason she was told she could not get elected then was that it’s a seat for the men and should opt for the women’s seat!
Between 2011 and 2021, Hon. Sarah Opendi served as Minister of State for Lands and Housing before moving to the Ministry of Health where she served for 7 years (Primary health care and Health General duties) and finally, in the Ministry of Energy.
West Budama has also had an opportunity of having women serving as RDC’s . We had two women serving as substantive RDCS, Mrs Mary Frances Nyaketcho Owor and myself. Currently we have Ms. Ayo Jacinta serving as Deputy RDC, and Aida Kigen as current Asst RDC Tororo District.
Out of politics, women in West Budama have also embraced Government programs like Parish Development model, Operation wealth creation and others. Women in their own rights have also embraced entrepreneurship, small scale businesses and some are even competing for contracts in the District.
In development, I must say, women in Padhola are making progress in improving their welfare and the livelihood of their families.
Africa Women’s University for Science and Technology Tororo (AWUSTT)
It was in February 2002 at Tororo Girls School, at a function to mark the achievements of Dr. Sarah Ntiro, the first Ugandan woman graduate in East and Central Africa that Kwar Adhola made an appeal to Dr. Marguette J. Brown Director Science, Engineering and Technical Careers at Spelman College Atlanta Georgia who was the speaker on that occasion, to facilitate establishment of AWUSTT.
Kwar Adhola quoted the late famous Dr. Martin Luther King Junior that he too had a dream that one day Tororo Girls School, a gift of the USA government to Uganda would grow into a higher Institution of learning for women.
That view was strongly supported by Forum for African Women Educationalist Uganda chapter. The same idea was supported by Dr. Shelby F. Lewis, Deputy chairperson Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board who was a good friend of Uganda having been one of the first African American teachers of Tororo Girls in mid 1960s. The dream of establishing a Women’s University for Science and Technology in Tororo during a subsequent visit.
Both Dr. Marguette Brown and Dr. Shelby Lewis were initiated into Japadhola/Luo culture. They were each given a dhopadhola name of Nyafwono and Nyangwen respectively.
However, the dream of turning Tororo Girls School into a University for Women did not
materialize instead the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) was tasked to provide land on which the University would be built. The government was willing to support the project
Stages of progress for the project.
• 1st February 2012, His Highness and Chairperson of the Forum for Africa Women’s Educationalist hosted a consultative meeting of Stakeholders for the Proposed AWUSTT at Serena hotel Kampala. This brought together a wide range of eminent persons including the Judiciary, aca-
When Dr Shelby visited at Tororo Girls Uganda
demia, research institutions, political leaders from the district and national level representatives from business, industry, banking sector and members of the public.
At this meeting the concept of AWUSTT was presented and a Technical working group was formed.
• In March 2012, Memorandum of understanding was signed between Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) and Forum for Africa Women’s Educationalist Uganda (FAWE-U) chapter.
• In June 2013, AWUSTT was registered as a company Limited by guarantee
• In July 2013, The Technical working group/steering committee was formed.
It was to act as the interim Board of Directors comprising of the following members
1. Amb. Bernadette Olowo – Freers
2. Ms. Frances Nyachwo
3. Mr. Fredrick Ochieng Obbo
4. Mr. Geresom Okecho – Ochwo
5. Ms. Rose Izizinga
6. Ms. Sylivia Ntambi
7. Ms. Martha Muhwezi
8. Mr. Malcolm Mpamizo
It took nearly two years to register AWUSTT with the National Council of Higher Education. The NCHE requirements were not always clear.
Challenges
Mobilizing funds was the biggest challenge for the steering committee.
At a meeting to review progress on establishing the university on 21st Sept, 2017 an interim steering committee was established. This committee required individuals who had experience in Higher Education to move forward phase II of AWUSTT. This Steering Committee was confirmed as the one to steer phase II and the launch of phase II was carried out at a colourful ceremony on 5th December 2017 at Protea hotel.
It Steering Committee comprised the following:
1. Dr. Charles Olweny
2. Mr. FRED Ocieng Obbo
3. Professor Erisa Ochieng
4. Mr. Geresom Okecho – Ochwo
5. Dr. Catherine Omaswa
6. Amb. Bernadette Olowo – Freers
7. Mrs. Philo Nyadoi FAWE
8. Ms. Susan Opok Tumsime FAWE
9. Ms. Seraphine Awachango FAWE
10. Ms. Ida Percy Mutesasira FAWE
The Board of Directors for AWUSTT was similarly constituted on 19th Jan 2018 with membership from TACI and FAWEU. Representing TACI were:
a) Ambassador Bernadette Olowo –Freers
b) Mr. Fred Ochieng Obbo
c) Mr. Geresom Okecho – Ochwo Representing FAWEU were:
a) Mrs. Philo Nyadoi
b) Ms. Susan Opok Tumsime
c) Ms. Seraphine Awachango
The steering committee established 4 sub committees s
i) Academic committee chaired by Professor Victor Ochwo Akanga
ii) Human Resource committee chaired by Ms. Susan Opok Tusiime
iii) Infrastructure Development committee chaired by Mr. Geresom Okecho-Ochwo
iv) Fundraising committee chaired by Dr. Andrew Oboth Obara.
Development of AWUSTT Strategic Plan 2020-2024
The promoters made monthly contributions of Ugx500, 000 To fund operational costs while each member of the steering committee contributed Ugx 100,000 monthly (they paid to serve).
At the meeting with the President on 27th January 2023 HRH The Kwar Adhola appealed for support for the establishment of the University. The President agreed to donate One billion five hundred million towards the purchase of the 50acres of land. Unfortunately, that money hasn’t yet been received to date. However the two hundred million for the establishment of a radio was received for which we were
grateful to the President.
Realizing that funding was not forthcoming for the realization of the project, FAWE withdrew as one of the promoters. TACI members also decided to suspend the meetings of the steering committee until funds became available to actualize. There is still hope that the Africa Women’s University of Science and Technology will come to be.
There are organizations that indicated interest to partner with AWUSTT if it was able to have the required land for development of the university.
Nyasigala – the cradle of Tieng Adhola
By Mark Olweny-Omalla,
From the pre-colonial days; Jopadhola were clustered communities and clans headed by clan leaders. There were more or less uniform pattern of value, norms, customs and traditions across the board.
However the following unfolding phenomena negatively influenced or diluted the long traditions, customs and culture;
a. The coming of Christian Missionaries doctrines; The introduction of Anglican faith in 1877 and Roman Catholic faith in 1879 and in addition to Islam which had been introduced earlier in 1844, which later spread to Padhola arou nd the 1918s divided the converts along those religions denomination. A child from a catholic family would have to travel several miles away passing an Anglican school to study in a catholic school and vice-versa is very true.
b. Colourization and spread of Buganda Administration; In 1894, Buganda was proclaimed a British Protectorate and in the years that followed other ethnic committees, Jopaahola inclusive were herded together through military congest and/or administrative coercion, annexation in colonial government structure to form Uganda despite difference in languages, culture, social value and set up.
c. The pre-independence political parts were started and sustained along religious sects
NRM administration in 1986.
Leaders sought ways of invigorating meaningful unity cultivate peace and create harmony and development within Padhola after Independence. An opportunity emerged when the 1995 constitution, Article 246, provided for the formation and establishment of institution of cultural and traditional leadership The idea of an umbrella Cultural Institution was floated.
Roger Jassa Kwero (RIP) who was a Clan Leader of Loli at that time, mooted the idea which he wanted to share with other clan leaders.
On Saturday 17th August 1996, he convened a meeting of willing Clan Leaders at his home at Nyasigala in Mulanda Sub-county. This first meeting that was attended by 39 Clan Leaders, unanimously nominated him as the Interim Leader and the participants universally resolved to establish Adhola Cultural Institution (ACI) which was later modified to be TIENG ADHOLA CULTURAL INSTITUTION.
Rogers Jassa Kwero established an Interim Cabinet to spread the Gospel of formation of Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution. Soon after, a Grand Meeting of representing of 52 clans picked the reigning Kwar Adhola, Moses Stephen Owor.
It emerged that there were three aspiring candidates Mr. Rogers Jassa Kwero, Mr. Moses Stephen Owor and Mr. Owor Kaburu. On that historical day, I attended that meeting as Koch Clan Leader as well as a representative of Jopadhola working and living in Kampala.
In Dhopadhola, I said, Wangini rume, wayeri wini, wakiri wa dimi. I explained the true meaning of Yero as opposed to Dimo
From August 1996 to August 1999, Rogers Jassa Kwero (RIP) distinguished himself as an assertive Jago/Prime Minister of Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution. Diplomacy, hard work and integrity were the attributes of Jassa Kwero, an example of a Japadhola who does not use power as a village tool for domination and self-aggrandisement.
Jassa Kwero is one of the unsung heroes of Padhola who deserves a place in our hearts for generations to come.
Jassa Kwero, the First Jago/Prime Minster was a fine leader and light that Padhola continues to remember.
Mark Olweny Omalla is 2nd Deputy Jago and Koch Clan Leader)
And a Rogers Jassa Kwero’s Peer and comrade.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE >>>>>> https://ljfiles.blogspot.com/
CLAN (NONO)
TIENG ADHOLA (CULTURAL INSTITUTION) – TACI
REGISTER OF CLANS OF TIENG ADHOLA AS PER JULY, 2024
CLAN LEADER (KWAR NONO)
AMOR KAGULU ADUNDO LT. COLONEL, ODONGO JOHN BAPTISTA
HUMILITY: The story of Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor
By Benedict Onyango
His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, best exemplifies how humility breeds success.
Moses Stephen Owor is a son of Wilbrod Othieno of the Bendo clan from Pokongo village and Norah Nyanganda the granddaughter of Majanga. He was one of the first beneficiaries of Missionary Education in Padhola from Majanga’s lineage.
Before going to St. Joseph’s Primary Nagongera, Moses Owor, a nephew in the Nyapolo Ogule clan, had some unbelievable challenges and breakthroughs in life.
He was adopted by Mark R. Owor and showed leadership skills from early on.
As he lived in Mark Owor’s family, he had an excellent relationship with everyone, and that earned him love such that he got all the entitlements and privileges of a full-fledged family member. He went to St. Joseph’s Nagongera Boys, Tororo College, and Namilyango. He thereafter got employed in the Ministry of Labour as a Labour Inspector, from where he rose to the level of Permanent Secretary before retirement. He also worked with the United Nations (UN).
Upon his retirement from the civil service, he was unanimously elected by the clan leaders of Padhola to take up the top cultural leadership position at Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution. Among his equals in the Uganda Kings’ Forum, he
was elected as their chairman.
Mark R. Owor’s story is also somehow similar to that of Moses; so one can rightly say that he understood what suffering meant and that was why he together with his family opted to support him (Moses). Unlike some other people who abandon their benefactors immediately after achieving success, the humble, humane, simple, and God-fearing Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor now aged 98 years, has remained closely attached to the family of his savior - from child laborer to holding reputable positions in his life. What a legacy! ******
Benedict Onyango is:
• Retired Special Needs Education teacher.
• Development Concern for Persons with Disabilities (DECOPED) founder.
• Jopadhola history and culture researcher.
• A writer
• Author of “Majanga and Historical Facts in Padhola”
• A volunteer with Need Africa.
• A promoter for the beatification of Fr. Simeon Lourdel and Brother Amans.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE >>>>>> https://ljfiles.blogspot.com/
NWSC Tororo Celebrates the Coronation Anniversary of His Highness Kwar Adhola
NWSC Tororo proudly celebrates a major milestone - the 25th coronation anniversary of His Royal Highness Kwar Adholarecognizing his transformative contributions to the community, including pioneering infrastructure development, innovative water conservation initiatives, stakeholder engagement facilitation, and tireless environmental sustainability advocacy.
As we mark this significant occasion, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and ensuring universal access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply through:
unauthorized connections, customers can promptly report them to NWSC authorities for swift intervention.
We also raise awareness about the illegal activities of meter theft and vandalism, which pose a significant threat to our operations and the community’s water supply. We urge customers to report any suspicious activities or incidents of meter theft and vandalism to law enforcement bodies and NWSC authorities immediately.
1. Optimized water treatment and distribution systems
2. Expanded service coverage via strategic water mains extensions and upgrades
3. Enhanced water loss reduction and control strategies
Our services cater to diverse customer categories, including domestic, commercial, public stand pipes, and institutional connections. We offer flexible payment plans, including electronic payment systems, to accommodate disconnected customers, ensuring equitable access to clean water and sanitation. In case of incidents like pipe ruptures, leaks, or
For more information or to report any issues, please contact NWSC Tororo at 0800200977 or 0800300977, or visit our offices in Tororo, Magodes, Nabuyoga, Nagongera, and Malaba.
Conclusion:
On this momentous occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Highness Kwar Adhola for his unwavering support and guidance. We pledge to continue our efforts in providing excellent water services, inspired by his leadership and vision, and look forward to many more years of partnership and progress.
