By Mike Rwothomio

The Greater Nebbi Elders Council, comprising members from the districts of Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach, has formally constituted and launched its district committees that run from the district to the parish level.

The council gave assurances of key developmental ideas and strategies aimed at championing development in the sub-region.

The constructive launch commenced at Karim hall in Zombo district headquarters last week on Thursday, March 26, before proceeding to Nebbi and Pakwach.

Members drawn from different political, cultural, religious, knowledge, and economic backgrounds spoke the language of unity, peace, and development.

The Greater Nebbi Elders Council consists of members from diverse professional backgrounds, noted for their high integrity and extensive connections.

The council has established its offices at Sayuni Building in Oryang, Thatha Division, along the Nebbi-Arua road, creating an official contact point for the organization.

Canon Kura Vasco, the council’s chairperson, in his address to the members before their official inauguration, urged them to work in unison to champion development, promote the true culture of the land, and avoid corruption.

“Members, all we need from you is integrity. Work for the development of the council, putting in mind that unity and good heart will take us far. Our sub-region is still behind; let’s work hard,” Kura said in his address, calling for concerted effort from the elders.

The council has in recent months been receiving endorsements from residents, with many saying that for long, their voices were not amplified by any fora unlike in other regions.

Kura, the former Nebbi district education officer, also assured of the council’s continuous push for strategic development in Greater Nebbi using all diplomatic channels, noting that “we are still behind in all aspects yet we have capacity.”

He called for concerted effort from all Greater Nebbi community members regardless of their political, social, religious, and geographical location to unite as one.

Nazarene Okura, one of the representatives for Zombo, noted that all the selected elders and associates put in positions are a competent team ready to steer the council’s aspirations and paths anchored on its true principles of unity, peace, and constructive development across the sub-region.

Addressing the gathering, council chairperson Canon Vasco Kura stated that the committees’ formation demonstrates that the fully registered council is “here to stay with no possibilities of going anywhere.”

The council is a fully registered entity with a comprehensive constitution and has engaged extensively with local government leaders and security officials from Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach districts to align its activities with government transformation programs.

For 2026, the council mobilized resources and advocated for peace, unity, love, and peaceful elections. This was witnessed in the recently concluded general elections as it deployed its members clad in their iconic half jackets to monitor, witness, and sleep in the tally centers to monitor elections across the districts of Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo.

Meanwhile, Kakura Emmy Kizito, the council vice chairperson, encouraged the inaugurated members to be bold advocates for the council’s initiatives in their communities while maintaining synergy.

Recently, Emilio Odongo, president of the Forum for Development of Greater Nebbi and a council secretariat representative responsible for support, expressed satisfaction with the council's progress, referencing the adage “a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step.”

Members’ Reactions

Beatrice Namusisi, an elder from Paidha Town Council, expressed gratitude for being part of the council, highlighting that “this council is going to play a key role in preservation of our culture, promote voices of the sub-region and promote development.”

The committee members for Zombo District

Namusisi, a retired civil servant, is also hopeful that the forum will help in restoring the eroding cultural values.

Salvathore Orwothu, an elder from Ambele Parish, Alangi sub-county, said: “This is an initiative that has been missing for ages. We have been praying for our sons and daughters who can start this. We know with time, our voices as Greater Nebbi will be heard through this fora.”

With now established committees from the districts of Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach, many view the establishment of the Greater Nebbi Elders Council as a milestone, addressing a previous lack of an organization to champion people-centered agendas at various levels, including national decision-making forums.

As part of their strategic push for unity and constructive development, the council recently held a landmark engagement with newly elected Greater Nebbi political leaders at Leosim Motel in Nebbi Municipality to guide them on the path to development of the sub-region, leaving behind hate, promoting unity and peace, and conducting a roundtable debate aimed at promoting development in the sub-region.

Council chairperson Canon Vasco Kura noted that “even the president of the Republic of Uganda likes organized people,” outlining the council’s vision to benefit current and future generations.

Canon Kura Vasco , the council's chairperson addresses the newly launched committees at the Zombo district headquarters.

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