Dokolo, Uganda | The Member of Parliament-elect for Dokolo North County, Joseph Jones Ogwal, has outlined poverty alleviation, education and land management as key priorities for his term in office, pledging to champion practical solutions aimed at transforming livelihoods in the constituency.
Speaking on Friday during the enthronement of ASP Moses Ogwang as Clan Chief (Awitong) of Okarowok Me Agum in Adok Subcounty, Ogwal expressed concern over low education transition rates in the district.
He revealed that only one out of every ten pupils who complete primary education progresses to post-primary level, describing the situation as a major setback to human capital development.
To address the challenge, Ogwal said he plans to establish a vocational training institution to equip learners who do not transition to secondary education with hands-on skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
On land matters, the MP-elect pointed to persistent disputes linked to customary land tenure. He suggested that Tekwaro Lango, in future, should consider empowering cultural leaders to issue land-use permits on customary land, drawing lessons from practices in Buganda, as a way of reducing conflicts and promoting orderly land utilisation.
Ogwal also revealed that he has commenced engagements with the Ministry of Energy to extend electricity to communities still without power connections in Dokolo North.
He further pledged to work closely with the LCV Chairperson-elect to ensure effective service delivery and coordinated development planning across the district.
At the same event, Aswa County MP, Simon Peter Wokorach, called for unity between the Lango and Acholi communities, noting that despite past conflicts, the two tribes remain closely linked through culture, language and shared traditions such as millet farming and traditional dances.
Several Members of Parliament-elect attended the ceremony, including Tonny Eron of Kwania County and Vincent Opito of Dokolo South County.
The LCV Chairperson-elect for Dokolo District, Ogwang Peter, pledged to work hand in hand with all elected leaders to steer development, with a strong focus on improving education standards.
He said he would persistently engage the Paramount Chief of Lango, Won-Nyaci, to support efforts aimed at uplifting education in the district.
The ceremony was presided over by the Paramount Chief of Lango (Won-Nyaci), His Royal Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, and marked the official enthronement of ASP Moses Ogwang, a senior officer in the Uganda Police Force currently serving as the Community Liaison Officer for Gulu District.