Acholi leaders convene in Gulu to chart regional development priorities

LOCAL

By Amolatar NewsCast

Gulu City,Uganda | Leaders and key stakeholders from the Acholi sub-region have gathered in Gulu City for a high-level consultative meeting aimed at identifying and advancing development priorities capable of transforming the region’s social and economic outlook.

The Acholi Parliamentary Group Regional Leaders Consultative Meeting, being held at Acholi Inn Hotel in Laroo-Pece Division, has attracted government representatives, religious leaders, cultural institutions and other stakeholders from across the region.

The discussions are focusing on how Acholi can better align its regional development priorities with national and local government planning frameworks while ensuring that the concerns and opportunities of communities are reflected in development programmes.

A major area of discussion is the region’s potential in tourism, culture and heritage. Participants are examining ways of promoting Acholi’s cultural identity, historical sites, wildlife resources, protected areas and natural attractions as sources of employment, investment and revenue for local communities.

The meeting is also considering opportunities presented by energy, mineral resources, industrialisation and private investment, with stakeholders expected to explore how the region can attract meaningful investments and create more economic opportunities for its growing population.

Conservation of wildlife and protection of cultural heritage have also featured prominently, amid calls for stronger cooperation between government agencies, cultural institutions, communities and other stakeholders.

Another critical issue on the agenda is land, particularly land ownership and tenure, land-use planning and access to land for agriculture, investment and other development activities.

Participants are expected to use the consultative platform to identify practical interventions, strengthen coordination among regional leaders and establish priorities that can support sustainable development across Acholi.

The meeting comes at a time when the region continues to seek greater economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, stronger social services and increased private-sector participation in its development.

The consultations are expected to generate recommendations that can inform engagement with both national and sub-national authorities on programmes and investments intended to accelerate development in the Acholi sub-region.