Kwar Adhola marks 100th birthday, Museveni set to grace celebrations

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The Jopadhola community has hailed their cultural head, Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owori, for steering the development of the kingdom and taking the lead in the fight against violence against women and children as he marks his 100th birthday on Wednesday (February 25).

The celebration, earmarked for February 28, 2026, at Elgon View sports ground in Tororo town, is expected to be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the chief guest. Owori has been on the throne of the Jopadhola community for the last 26 years.

Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owori marks 100th birthday'. (Photo by Faustine Odeke)

Ahead of the main event, several activities, including football and netball matches, a marathon, radio programmes and a birthday thanksgiving Mass at St Wilbrod Nagongera Catholic Church will be held.

"We call upon all the people of Padhola to join us in celebrating this important occasion. We thank all those who have supported us in making the function successful," said the Prime Minister Richard Josel Obbo.

Speaking during the peri-centennial birthday celebration dialogues organised by the International Justice Mission, attended by kingdom cabinet ministers and members of the guidelines on families and gender relations dissemination committee at Rock Classic Hotel on Wednesday, Obbo acknowledged that the launch of the guidelines in 2023 has significantly contributed to the reduction of violence against women and children in the Padhola community.



The guidelines, developed by the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution under financial support from IJM, seek to end violence against women and children by involving cultural leaders and other stakeholders in addressing the key drivers of the vice that was rampant in the communities.

The IJM community engagement coordinator, Stella Rose Atunyo, said the 2024 national baseline report by IJM Uganda found that six in ten, 55 percent, of ever-partnered women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Atunyo said sexual violence against children was found to be three times more prevalent among girls, 77 percent, compared to boys, 24 percent, with most cases affecting children above 15 years. She added that despite the high prevalence of violence, the report highlights low levels of crime reporting, with seven out of ten incidents of physical and sexual violence against women going unreported.

She said the majority of cases go unreported due to fear of stigma, retaliation, normalisation of abuse and low trust in the criminal justice system.

She said, for being a role model, IJM will support the centennial celebrations by sponsoring 200 marathon guests, offering refreshments and providing 500 copies of the guidelines, besides sponsoring 10 survivors to share their experiences.

Obbo said since its launch, the guidelines have led to improved management of cases, increased awareness and renewed courage among survivors, contributing to a shift in community mindset.

John Fabian Olweny, the executive director of Padhola Development Foundation, said they have finally seen light at the end of the tunnel.

"I'm happy to report that gender-based violence has drastically reduced in our communities because of the commitment shown by all stakeholders. Let’s use the guidelines to create a safe community’’ Olweny said.

Jag Adrian Owori, the chairperson of the guideline dissemination committee, said various institutions, including clan leaders, are now fully utilising the documents to create awareness through dialogues, meetings, radio talk shows and drama in schools.

Eva Leni, the lead for advocacy and partnership at IJM, said they will continue offering support to the institution in line with their vision in Uganda to protect 24 million women and children by 2030.