The President commended the retired Chief Justice for his role in promoting unity and reconciliation in Northern Uganda, especially during the region’s recovery from years of armed conflict.
A cross-section of national leaders, cultural and religious figures, family members, friends, and residents gathered at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City to celebrate the homecoming of retired Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation.
The colourful ceremony drew leaders and citizens from different parts of the country who came to honour the former head of the judiciary for his contribution to strengthening the rule of law, promoting integrity in public service, and advancing national unity and reconciliation.
Among the dignitaries present was President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who congratulated Owiny-Dollo on the recognition he was receiving from his community. The President described the celebration as a fitting tribute to a man he said had served the country with dedication, patriotism, and integrity.
Museveni commended the people of the Acholi sub-region for appreciating leaders who have played a significant role in building strong national institutions and promoting peace in Uganda.
In his remarks, the President highlighted three key contributions made by the retired Chief Justice during his years of public service. First, he praised Owiny-Dollo’s integrity, noting that despite ongoing concerns about corruption in some sectors of public service, he had never heard the former Chief Justice linked to corrupt practices.
Secondly, Museveni acknowledged Owiny-Dollo’s efforts in strengthening Uganda’s judicial system. He particularly noted his support for the expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, an approach aimed at resolving conflicts outside the formal court process in order to reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice.
Thirdly, the President commended the retired Chief Justice for his role in promoting unity and reconciliation in Northern Uganda, especially during the region’s recovery from years of armed conflict.
Museveni also used the occasion to highlight the importance of economic transformation through household participation in productive economic activities. He emphasized the government’s strategy of encouraging small-scale enterprises suitable for families with limited land.
According to the President, such activities include poultry keeping for egg production, dairy farming, coffee growing, fruit cultivation, fish farming, and other high-value agricultural enterprises that can generate income even on small plots of land.
He explained that the government is promoting intensive agriculture as opposed to extensive farming because many households do not own large pieces of land. Crops such as cotton, maize, sugarcane, and rubber, he said, require large land holdings and may not be suitable for smallholder farmers.
Museveni further stressed the importance of producing for markets, cautioning against encouraging farmers to grow commodities without guaranteed demand. He noted that Uganda should take advantage of expanding markets within the East African region and across the African continent.
Before inviting the President to address the gathering, Owiny-Dollo expressed his gratitude to Museveni for attending the ceremony and for his longstanding support to Northern Uganda. He thanked the President for helping restore peace and stability in the region after years of conflict, which he said had enabled communities to rebuild their lives, pursue education, and strengthen institutions.
Looking ahead, the retired Chief Justice revealed that his next focus would be promoting community revival and wealth creation across the Acholi sub-region. He noted that decades of conflict had left many households economically disadvantaged and called on communities to shift their focus toward rebuilding their livelihoods.
Owiny-Dollo emphasized the need for people-centered wealth creation initiatives, including the productive use of large expanses of idle land and the adoption of mechanized agriculture led by communities themselves. He also pointed to ongoing efforts supported by Operation Wealth Creation under the leadership of Salim Saleh to promote agricultural mechanization in the region.
In addition, he proposed the establishment of an irrigation scheme in Agoro to enhance agricultural productivity and urged the government to assess the impact of socio-economic empowerment funds that have been injected into Northern Uganda over the years.
Owiny-Dollo also called upon leaders across the Acholi region—including political, cultural, and community leaders—to take responsibility for driving socio-economic transformation in their communities. He suggested that local by-laws could be introduced to encourage households to actively participate in wealth creation activities.
Speakers at the event praised the former Chief Justice for his integrity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice and national service. They highlighted his role in strengthening Uganda’s justice system and promoting unity during the country’s recovery from conflict.
The ceremony featured traditional Acholi cultural performances, prayers, and tributes from leaders and community members, reflecting the deep respect and appreciation the community holds for Owiny-Dollo.
President Museveni concluded by encouraging leaders and citizens across the country to continue working together to strengthen national institutions, promote unity, and accelerate Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.