URN.Te-Kworo Foundation has been operating in Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya and Omoro for the past 20 years offering support including scholarships to girls who cannot enrol in mainstream education, maternal and health care services, and social protection and livelihood services.
Te-Kworo Foundation, a not for profit humanitarian organization in Northern Uganda is demanding an apology from the Pader district LC V Chairperson or else they withdraw from the district.
Te-Kworo Foundation has been operating in Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya and Omoro for the past 20 years offering support including scholarships to girls who cannot enrol in mainstream education, maternal and health care services, and social protection and livelihood services.
However, the foundation claims that while offering catering services to one of the development partners at the district headquarters on April 21, 2022, the LC V Chairperson, Rtd Col. Fearless Oyat Obwoya ordered their staff to vacate immediately.
He reportedly escorted the staff from the district headquarters and kicked them out of the main gate.
David Labeja, the Te-Kworo Foundation Spokesperson, described the incident as unfortunate and uncalled for, saying the LC V chairperson should have explored other avenues to address any purported grievances with the organization.
Labeja says that they want the LC V Chairperson to offer them a public apology or else they suspend their humanitarian activities in the district.
He explains that the district headquarters is a public facility that is open to anyone and that the organization has the legal right to operate in the district.
In an April 25th, 2022 notice addressed to the Pader Resident District Commissioner, Stephen Lobo Akera, the Legal Secretary of Te-Kworo Foundation demands an apology from the District Chairperson and guarantees of noninterference in their activities.
“The district chairperson should explore all possible and available means including official communication letters, radios and other mediums to guarantee the safety of the organization in the district and the security of its staff”, reads the notice in part.
He says that they will not hesitate to suspend the humanitarian services in the district should the LC V chairperson fail to heed their demands.
According to the letter, the suspension will mobile ambulance services, vouchers plus medical services and natal care to mothers, community health outreaches and cancellation of scholarships to over 200 beneficiaries.
The LC V Chairperson acknowledged receipt of the notice, saying that he is still consulting his legal team to either respond or explore another course of action into the matter.
Obwoya revealed that he will not make any apology and described the organization as an entity that is operating in a business-oriented manner, saying it is at liberty to quit the district anytime it wished.
Pader Resident District Commissioner, Milton Odongo equally acknowledges receipt of the notice, saying his office will do the needful to ensure the matter is resolved amicably.
