President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to grace the 4th Edition of the Acholi Cultural Festival scheduled for December 12-14, 2024, at Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu City.
Speaking at the launch from the Acholi Inn Hotel, Rwot Acana, the paramount chief of the Acholi urged the people of Acholi to use the festival to showcase their good culture, like hard work, togetherness, and love for the vulnerable, among others, and promote and create wealth.
“Our people should expect a colorful event this year far beyond the previous editions,” said Acana.
This year’s festival aims to celebrate and promote Acholi culture through various activities, including traditional music and dance performances under the Theme: “Celebrating and Promoting Acholi Heritage for Socio-Economic Development.”
According to the organizers, this year’s celebration shall be class apart, since they have invited over 100 corporates to show their products and services, telecoms service providers, institutions, ministries developments and Agencies of Government, Multinationals and NGOs, international government organizations, industries and business within Uganda and EAC region among others.
The festival will also showcase the classical bwola royal dance from all corners of Acholi, featuring traditional attire adorned with feathers and jingles, accompanied by small and large drums, royal leopard skins, horns, and flutes. Additionally, the classical Otole war dance will be performed, where elders use spears and shields to execute rare tactical moves. The somber sound of drums evokes a sense of war, often bringing tears to the eyes of onlookers.
Local cuisines like Malakwang, Akeyo, Ringo Mutwo, Lakotokoto, Lakilikili, and Boo cooked in six different ways shall be ready for culinary sampling.
Acholi Cultural Festival was started in 2017 and was hosted at Kaunda grounds in Gulu City, the event was last organized in 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak and it now returns this year after 4 years.
