Oyam locals demand national recognition of Northern Uganda heroes

Oyam, Uganda: Residents of Oyam District have voiced strong concerns over the consistent lack of national recognition for individuals from Northern Uganda during annual Heroes Day celebrations.

Speaking on Sunday, June 08, ahead of the 2025 national commemoration, community leaders and local activists accused the Presidential Awards Committee of failing to properly profile and honor unsung heroes from the region who have made significant contributions to Uganda’s development.

Philip Ogile, the LCIII Chairperson of Abok Sub-county, criticized the awards system for its skewed focus, saying the omission of Northern Ugandan figures was both unjust and demoralizing.

“It is disappointing that Northern Uganda continues to be overlooked in national recognition. The Presidential Awards Committee should take a keen interest in profiling and honoring our region’s unsung heroes who have contributed to their communities and shaped positive change,” Ogile said.

The sentiment was echoed by Dickens Ayini Obong, a visually impaired resident of Oyam, who highlighted the disparity in how contributions are recognized across regions.

“Many individuals in Northern Uganda dedicate their lives to uplifting communities, yet their efforts go unnoticed. Meanwhile, similar contributions in other regions receive national acknowledgment. This imbalance needs to be addressed,” said Ayini.

Brenda Apio, a resident of Oyam Town Council, added that recognizing more individuals from the north would foster a deeper sense of national unity and inspire community service. “Recognizing more individuals from Northern Uganda would create a sense of pride and motivation. National honors would encourage more people to engage in meaningful efforts that uplift society,” she said.

In response, NRM Secretary General Hon. Richard Todwong reaffirmed the importance of Heroes Day in honoring sacrifices made for Uganda’s progress. He emphasized that the NRM government is committed to recognizing contributions from all corners of the country.

“Uganda belongs to all its people, regardless of their region or background. The NRM leadership has promoted unity and acknowledged contributions from various sectors,” Todwong said.

The Presidential Awards Committee receives nominations from government institutions, organizations, and the public. Vetting is conducted before submission to the President for approval, in line with the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001. The Chancery oversees the awards process to ensure transparency.