Lamwo leaders push for creation of new district, hospital upgrade

Leaders and residents of Lamwo district have renewed their call to the government to create an additional district and upgrade key infrastructure to improve service delivery and accelerate development in the area.

Located in the Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda, Lamwo was carved out of Kitgum district and became operational in July 2009 under the government’s decentralization policy. The district headquarters are in Ongalo village, Lamwo town council, about 66 kilometers from Kitgum Municipality and 520 kilometers north of Kampala.

Lamwo borders South Sudan to the north, Agago to the south, Kitgum to the southeast, and Amuru to the west. The district is predominantly inhabited by the Acholi people, who depend mainly on subsistence farming and livestock rearing.

Key crops include cassava, beans, sorghum, groundnuts, and simsim (sesame), while livestock such as cattle, goats, and poultry supplement household incomes.

Calls for a new district

Lamwo district NRM chairperson Polycarp Odoch said the district’s vast size continues to hinder effective service delivery. He appealed to the government to create a new administrative unit Palabek district to help bring services closer to the people.

“The creation of Palabek district would enhance local governance and make it easier for residents to access services without traveling long distances,” Odoch said.

Odoch also urged the government to upgrade Padibe Health Centre IV to a district hospital, noting that the facility serves several sub-counties and often struggles with congestion due to limited capacity.

Infrastructure and youth development

The chairperson further appealed for the establishment of a vocational training institute in Lamwo to equip youth with practical skills and reduce unemployment.

“We believe Lamwo deserves a vocational institute just like other districts. Our youth need employable skills to support themselves and contribute to local development,” he added.

District leaders also emphasized the need to tarmac and upgrade the Kitgum–Lamwo–South Sudan road, which passes through Padibe and Lokung to Ngomoromo border point. They described it as a vital trade route for cross-border commerce between Uganda and South Sudan.

They noted that improved infrastructure and social services would not only boost Lamwo’s economic growth but also strengthen its contribution to national development.

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Local leaders reinforce the appeal

Polycarp Odoch, the Lamwo district NRM chairperson, echoed these calls, saying that the creation of Palabek district and the upgrading of Padibe Health Centre IV would bring services closer to the people and enhance development.

Odoch revealed that district leaders intend to petition President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to consider establishing a vocational training institute in recognition of Lamwo’s consistent support for the NRM government.

Community voices

Residents across the district have also added their voices to the appeal, highlighting other areas needing urgent attention.

Oketayot Thomas, a resident of Paluga, called on the government and development partners to support agro-industrial development to enhance agricultural productivity and value addition.

“Farmers in Lamwo often sell their produce raw and get little profit. Setting up local industries to process cassava, groundnuts, simsim, and maize would increase incomes and create jobs,” Oketayot said.

“With proper investment, Lamwo can transform from a subsistence farming district into a thriving agricultural hub.”

Atii Florence, a resident of Lokung, appealed for stronger security along the Uganda–South Sudan border, citing recurring cross-border tensions that have claimed lives.

“Border communities live under constant threat due to unclear demarcation and occasional clashes. The government should clarify the boundary and deploy adequate security personnel,” Atii said.

She added that improved border security would not only protect lives but also promote cross-border trade and peace in the region.

Local leadership and representation

Adongkena Sarah Oko, a resident of Madi Opei, urged the government to appoint a local resident as the district’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), noting that Lamwo has never had one of its own in that role.

“Having a local RDC would help better represent the people’s interests and ensure development programs are implemented effectively,” she said.

Sarah argued that appointing a native RDC would deepen community trust and improve coordination between the government and local communities.

War debt compensation

Meanwhile, Onen Thomas, a resident of Padibe West sub-county, appealed to the government to expedite payment of Acholi war debt claims, particularly compensation for livestock lost during the insurgency.

“Many residents have waited for years for compensation. Paying these claims would restore trust and revive livelihoods that were destroyed during the conflict,” Onen said.

He urged authorities to streamline the verification process and ensure transparency to prevent delays and mismanagement.

A district of promise

Lamwo, which also hosts the Palabek Refugee Settlement, remains one of Northern Uganda’s most strategic border districts serving both humanitarian and trade purposes.

Despite challenges in infrastructure and service delivery, district leaders remain optimistic that with government support, Lamwo can achieve faster growth and transformation.

“Improved roads, hospitals, schools, and industries will make Lamwo a model for development in Northern Uganda,” chairperson Odoch concluded.