President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed the retired Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, for his integrity, patriotism and contribution to strengthening Uganda’s justice system during a grand homecoming ceremony held at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City.
The colourful event drew a cross-section of national leaders, cultural and religious figures, family members and members of the public who gathered to celebrate Owiny-Dollo’s distinguished service to the country.
In his address, President Museveni congratulated the former Chief Justice on the recognition accorded to him by the Acholi community, describing the honour as a fitting tribute to a lifetime of public service.
“This recognition is well deserved. I want to thank Owiny-Dollo for his integrity in public service. Despite all the concerns we hear about corruption in some sectors, I have never heard his name associated with corrupt practices,” Museveni said.
The President also commended Owiny-Dollo’s contribution to strengthening Uganda’s judiciary, particularly his support for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms aimed at easing court congestion and improving access to justice.
“I have always supported ADR because it helps resolve disputes faster and reduces pressure on the courts. I am happy that Owiny-Dollo supported this approach,” Museveni added.
He further praised the retired Chief Justice for his role in promoting unity and reconciliation in Northern Uganda following decades of conflict.
The President also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of economic transformation through household participation in productive activities. He urged Ugandans to engage in small-scale enterprises that can generate income even on limited land.
“For households with small pieces of land, enterprises like poultry for eggs, dairy farming, coffee growing, fruit cultivation and fish farming are more suitable. These can transform incomes if people produce for the market,” Museveni said.
He noted that Uganda’s economic transformation would largely be driven by millions of small-scale producers working collectively across the country.
According to the President, empowering smallholder farmers ensures that more households directly participate in national development.
Speaking earlier, Owiny-Dollo expressed gratitude to President Museveni for attending the ceremony and for his role in restoring peace and stability in Northern Uganda.
“I want to sincerely thank His Excellency the President for the peace that returned to Northern Uganda. That peace allowed our people to rebuild their lives, educate their children and strengthen institutions,” Owiny-Dollo said.
The retired Chief Justice said his next focus would be championing community revival and wealth creation across the Acholi sub-region, noting that decades of conflict had left many households economically disadvantaged.
“We must move away from the rhetoric of past conflicts and focus on rebuilding our livelihoods through productive economic activities,” he said.
Owiny-Dollo called for people-centred wealth creation initiatives, including mechanised agriculture and the productive use of idle land across the region.
He also proposed the establishment of an irrigation scheme at Agoro to boost agricultural productivity and urged government to review the effectiveness of socio-economic empowerment funds that have been injected into Northern Uganda over the years.
“We must ensure that these programmes are truly transforming the lives of our people,” he added.
The retired Chief Justice further called on political, cultural and community leaders in Acholi to take responsibility for driving socio-economic transformation in their areas, suggesting the adoption of local by-laws to encourage households to actively participate in wealth creation initiatives.
Speakers at the event praised Owiny-Dollo for his integrity and leadership throughout his judicial career, noting his role in strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice.
The ceremony featured traditional Acholi cultural performances, prayers and tributes from community leaders, reflecting the deep respect the region holds for the former Chief Justice and his contributions to national development.