By Richard Onapatum
KOTIDO – Kotido District stakeholders gathered at Travellers Bar and Restaurant on Monday, September 2, 2024, to bid farewell to the outgoing Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Papa Ambrose Onoria. The colorful ceremony, attended by a full capacity crowd, featured refreshments, nyama choma, and heartfelt speeches.
Chief Administrative Officer, Donato Oola, thanked the organizing committee for promoting the culture of handover parties. He praised Onoria for his positive mindset and morale-boosting leadership, welcoming the incoming RDC, Charles Ichogor, and committing to cooperate with him to achieve the NRM manifesto.
District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Lt. David Aisu, warmly welcomed Ichogor, noting that Onoria had been a fatherly figure and worked hard to achieve sustainable peace in the region. The Army representative Maj. Apollo Ochen Okune, 2IC of the Third Battalion, thanked Onoria for collective efforts towards peace and assured Ichogor of continued cooperation.
Deputy RDC, John Magezi John Lukhoki also known as Lokiru, praised Onoria’s developmental legacy and vision, highlighting significant achievements such as relative peace, improved infrastructure, and increased economic opportunities. He expressed remorse at missing working with Onoria, who had been nurturing and guiding him. He concluded by welcoming Ichogor.
Incoming RDC Charles Ichogor thanked Fellow leaders, stakeholders, and people of Kotido District.
He pledged to work tirelessly towards socio-economic transformation, driven by the NRM manifesto’s vision.
He noted Kotido district faces challenges, but he believes in collective potential. He called upon all stakeholders to join him in this transformative journey.
“Let us work together to achieve this vision. I am committed to serving you and our district with integrity, passion, and dedication” said Ichogor.
He urged for cooperation towards a brighter future for Kotido!”
The outgoing RDC Ambrose Onoria thanked stakeholders for the farewell party and incoming RDC Charles Ichogor for accepting the challenging assignment. He encouraged the community to remain prayerful, citing his own posting to Gulu City as evidence of God’s answered prayers.
The ceremony marked a significant transition in Kotido District’s leadership, with stakeholders committing to cooperation and continuity.