By Mike Rwothomio

The Alur Kingdom has urged all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) operating within its jurisdiction to formally introduce themselves, their programs, and activities to the Kingdom leadership.

This move aims to foster smooth collaboration, effective service delivery, and sustainable development, particularly in agriculture, environmental conservation, and community empowerment.

The call was made by the Kingdom’s Prime Minister (Jadipu), Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, on May 1, 2026, at his offices in Yamu Trading Centre, Atyak Sub-county, Zombo District, while receiving officials from the Alur Community Empowerment Foundation (ACEF), a newly established CBO that formally presented itself to the Kingdom seeking official recognition and blessings for its operations.

Prince Opar highlighted the advantages of formal recognition by the Alur Kingdom, a cultural institution mandated under Article 246 of the Ugandan Constitution.

He noted the positive impact several land-based NGOs and CBOs have made in boosting agricultural productivity, promoting education, combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), reducing teenage pregnancies, and advancing other community development initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of Alur subjects.

“For any activity, program, or development initiative taking place in the Alur Kingdom, it is important that you contact the Kingdom,” Opar told the ACEF team.

He emphasized that His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni III, the Alur King, serves as the custodian of customarily owned land within the Kingdom.

ACEF is one of over 10 NGOs and CBOs currently operating across the Alur Kingdom, which encompasses 56 well-structured chiefdoms in Uganda and 8 chiefdoms in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The Ubimu, King of Alur, is mandated by the Government of Uganda under Article 246 as a cultural institution to preserve our culture and promote our heritage. It is therefore important that the Ubimu is informed about developments on the land,” Opar added.

He commended ACEF for taking the proactive step of formally introducing itself, praising the organization’s vision, which includes promoting modern agriculture, climate justice, indigenous tree species propagation, clean energy adoption, and sustainable land management practices.

He urged ACEF officials to submit a detailed formal letter outlining their objectives, planned activities, and areas of potential partnership so the Kingdom can link them with relevant government programs and development partners.

ACEF Leadership Outlines Vision

Cosmas Umirambe, Executive Director of Alur Community Empowerment Foundation, provided a detailed background of the organization.

Established informally in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic by a group of young professionals from Zombo District, ACEF initially focused on uniting youth from Zombo , Nebbi and Pakwach through a Tree Production Centre for raising and selling various seedlings.

This effort aimed at generating sustainable livelihoods while contributing to climate change mitigation and environmental restoration.

The organization was formally incorporated in 2025 with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) as Alur Community Empowerment Foundation. It currently operates in Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach districts , the traditional Alur community boundaries l, with a core team of 18 young people, including 11 professionals and other committed members.

“We have come to officially introduce ourselves to the Alur Kingdom. We believe that for any meaningful development to take place within the land of Alur, the Kingdom must know about it, and we are here to seek blessings from the Alur Kingdom,” Umirambe said while handing over organizational documents to Prime Minister Opar.

Alur kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, addressed members of the Alur community empowerment Foundation in his office at Yamu trading center on Friday.

Robert Oyirwoth, Board Chairperson of ACEF, expressed gratitude for the guidance received. “I am so grateful for the parental advice, knowledge, and guidance the Prime Minister offered us,” he said, expressing optimism for continued collaboration with the Kingdom under His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III.

Female staff members Irene Fuacan and Joan Oyungrwoth expressed profound joy at the warm reception, while Nursery Manager Ignatius Abicorunga appealed for continued open doors, referring to the Kingdom leadership as “parents” and pledging to work together as “children” of the Kingdom.

ACEF’s Strategic Objectives

The organization with it's offices along Christ the King road in Paidha town council, positions itself as a well-coordinated, community-owned initiative aimed at empowering Alur communities with capacities for resilience against poverty.

The organization aims to serve as a dynamic center empowering youths and women to lead sustainable community development initiatives. It will function as a regional hub for building household capacities in sustainable agri-business skills and effective climate change adaptation.

By harnessing the collective strength of local communities, it will advocate for equitable justice, inclusive development, and good governance. The organization will create platforms for communities to identify their own challenges and craft locally driven, sustainable solutions, while strengthening networking and linkages among Alur communities, government institutions, and other development stakeholders.

ACEF’s mission is to provide opportunities for locals to contribute to the development process through social service delivery, advocacy, networking, and information sharing, with the long-term goal of empowering the Alur community for meaningful development by 2040.

Umirambe noted that the foundation still requires mentors, technical guidance, and support to scale its agricultural and environmental programs effectively.

The Kingdom Prime Minister guided the ACEF team on the formal processes required for deeper collaboration and partnership.

Cosma Omirambe, Executive Director of ACEF hands over the organization documents to the Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala as other members look on.

Mike Rwothomio is the News Editor at Zoomer Africa, your trusted grassroots information hub for African stories, voices, and updates.