Gulu City — A cross-section of national leaders, cultural and religious figures, family members, friends, and local citizens gathered at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City today for a homecoming ceremony honouring His Lordship Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, the retired Chief Justice of Uganda.
The event celebrated his distinguished service to the nation and his significant contributions to the administration of justice.
The ceremony brought together leaders from across Uganda, alongside members of the public, to pay tribute to Owiny-Dollo for his commitment to the rule of law, integrity in public service, and efforts toward national unity and reconciliation.
In his address, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni congratulated Chief Justice Emeritus Owiny-Dollo on the recognition accorded to him by his community, calling the occasion “a fitting celebration of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.”
The President commended the people of Acholi for recognising leaders who have helped build strong national institutions and promoted peace and unity across the country.
He specifically thanked Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo for three major contributions. “First, I praise his integrity in public service. Despite persistent concerns about corruption in some sectors, I have never heard Owiny-Dollo associated with corrupt practices,” Museveni said.
“Second, I recognise his contribution to strengthening Uganda’s judiciary, especially his support for the expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms—an approach I have long advocated to ease court congestion and improve access to justice,” the President continued.
“Third, I commend Owiny-Dollo’s role in promoting unity and reconciliation in Northern Uganda, particularly during the region’s recovery after years of conflict,” Museveni added.
The President also highlighted the importance of economic transformation through household participation in productive activities. He stressed the government’s strategy of promoting small-scale enterprises suitable for households with limited land, including poultry for eggs, dairy farming, coffee growing, fruit cultivation, fish farming, and other high-value agricultural activities.
“The strategy focuses on intensive agriculture rather than extensive farming. Crops such as cotton, maize, sugarcane, and rubber require large land holdings and are therefore less suitable for smallholder households,” Museveni said.
He further emphasised producing for markets rather than encouraging cultivation without assured demand, urging Ugandans to take advantage of expanding markets within East Africa and across the continent.
“Uganda’s economic transformation will largely be driven by millions of small-scale producers working collectively across the country,” the President noted, citing examples from Masaka, where smallholder farmers have significantly increased production of coffee and milk.
Before the President addressed the gathering, Chief Justice Emeritus Owiny-Dollo expressed profound gratitude to President Museveni for attending the ceremony and for his longstanding support of Northern Uganda.
“I thank the President for the role he played in restoring peace and stability in the region after years of conflict. This peace has enabled communities to rebuild their lives, pursue education, and strengthen institutions,” Owiny-Dollo said.
Looking ahead, Owiny-Dollo outlined his next focus on community revival and wealth creation in the Acholi sub-region, noting that decades of conflict had left many households economically disadvantaged.
“I call on communities to move beyond the rhetoric of past conflicts and focus on rebuilding livelihoods through productive economic activities,” he stated, emphasising people-centred wealth creation initiatives, including productive use of idle land and adoption of mechanised agriculture led by communities themselves.
He noted that ongoing efforts under Operation Wealth Creation, led by Gen. (Rtd) Salim Saleh, had already begun supporting agricultural mechanisation in the region.
Owiny-Dollo also proposed the establishment of an irrigation scheme at Agoro and urged the government to review the impact of socio-economic empowerment funds in Northern Uganda to ensure they achieve intended outcomes.
“I further call on leaders across Acholi—including political, cultural, and community leaders—to take responsibility for driving socio-economic transformation in their respective areas. Local by-laws could help encourage households to actively participate in wealth creation initiatives,” he added.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Chief Justice, Hon. Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo thanked Owiny-Dollo for his distinguished service and steadfast commitment to strengthening Uganda’s justice system, noting his dedication to the rule of law, integrity within the judiciary, and inspiring public confidence.
Speakers at the event also praised Owiny-Dollo for his integrity and leadership, highlighting his role in promoting unity and reconciliation in Northern Uganda 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 held for the former Chief Justice and his contributions to national development.
President Museveni concluded by urging leaders and communities nationwide to continue working together to strengthen institutions, promote unity, and accelerate Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
