By Mike Rwothomio

In a significant step toward transforming harmful social norms, the Alur Kingdom, a resilient cultural institution in the West Nile region, participated in a high-level training workshop hosted by the Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa (COTLA) Uganda Chapter in Gulu City from 24–26 February 2026.

The three-day capacity-building session brought together gazetted cultural leaders from across Northern Uganda to deepen their understanding and leadership in designing, rolling out, and tracking social norms interventions.

According to a statement issued by the Kingdom's Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, the meeting focused on fostering gender-equitable attitudes and behaviours that prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) while advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, particularly for adolescent girls and women

Leading the Alur delegation was Hon. Bob Opio Okech, Minister of Culture & Legal Affairs and the Kingdom's Focal Person to the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU).

CCFU, a key national NGO, champions culture as a powerful driver of inclusive community development that honours Uganda's diverse identities.

According to the officials, The workshop formed a core component of CCFU's flagship "Culture for Her" project, supported by UN Women Uganda and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and COTLA-Uganda.

The initiative harnesses the moral authority and community influence of traditional leaders to shift entrenched norms, challenge patriarchal practices, and promote positive social constructive behaviors and women's empowerment.

By the close of the training, participants, including the Alur technical team, crafted and endorsed tailored community action plans.

These roadmaps according to the kingdom Prime Minister, outline concrete steps their kingdoms and chiefdoms will take to drive SGBV prevention and SRHR promotion at the grassroots level, leveraging cultural values, dialogues, and accountability mechanisms.

The engagement underscores a growing moment in the fight against gender-based violence, using indigenous knowledge and respected leadership to rewrite harmful traditions into protective, equitable ones.

Cultural stakeholders say the training marks a pivotal moment for Northern Uganda's heritage leaders to align ancestral wisdom with modern human rights imperatives, ensuring that culture becomes a shield, not a barrier, for girls and women.

Gender-based violence (GBV) in Uganda remains alarmingly prevalent. According to the 2020 National Survey on Violence in Uganda (conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics), 95% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence (by partners or non-partners) at least once since age 15. More recent official data from the Uganda Police 2023 Annual Crime Report recorded 15,184 cases of domestic violence, with 75% of the victims being female.

Alur Kingdom officials and other members pose for a photo at the function.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub