Stakeholders appeal to Paramount Chief to revive Madi culture during SI launch

Adjumani | A passionate call has been made to the Paramount Chief of the Madi cultural institution to revive and strengthen traditional Madi cultural practices during the official launch of the Spotlight Initiative (SI) program held at Adjumani Multipurpose Hall.

A cross-section of stakeholders, including district leaders, civil society actors, educators, and elders emphasized the critical role that cultural values play in shaping and nurturing children, especially in the face of growing social challenges such as violence against women and girls.

The Spotlight Initiative, a $38 million program funded by the European Union, United Nations agencies, and the Government of the Netherlands, is aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls across five districts—Adjumani, Lamwo, Oyam, Madi Okollo, and Nebbi.

The initiative is being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development.

During the launch, the Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs, Angela Nakafeero, hailed the cultural institutions as custodians of moral and social values that are essential in building a peaceful and respectful society.

She underscored the importance of integrating culture into development programs.

“We cannot talk about ending violence without acknowledging the role culture plays in defining behavior and values in our communities. That’s why we need our traditional leaders to take the lead in reviving positive cultural practices,” Nakafeero said.

Several elders and opinion leaders echoed this sentiment, urging the Paramount Chief of the Madi to restore and promote traditional teachings, rites of passage, storytelling, and community gatherings that once served as platforms for moral instruction and guidance for the youth.

“Long ago, our culture shaped us. We were taught how to respect, how to behave, and how to value others. These days, our children are growing without that guidance,” said elder Simon Asio Alice, women’s council chairperson of Adjumani.

“We appeal to His Highness to bring back the Madi ways of raising a child.”

Sabuni John, the secretary for health representing the district chairman of Adjumani, has cautioned the cultural leaders to restore the cultural practices of Madi. “

“So, as leaders, we have got a role to play. Everybody put in religious and cultural leaders. I’m very happy as a Madi now that we have a paramount chief and all clan chiefs are there. You have got a role. Our cultural values have disappeared.

“So, we need to do a lot to bring back these norms. Today, respect among youths and the elderly has disappeared. All these are our responsibilities that we must restore,” said Sabuni John.

In response, the Madi Paramount Chief Opi Suru Simon Baru assured the gathering that the call would be taken seriously and that plans were already underway to engage clan leaders, cultural elders, and youth representatives in a dialogue to restore traditional structures that support child upbringing and moral education.

As the Spotlight Initiative kicks off its implementation, stakeholders hope that the fusion of cultural revival and structured intervention will provide a more holistic approach to ending gender-based violence and building a society rooted in respect, dignity, and shared values.