By Patrick Okino
The Pakistan Association in Lango Sub-region has pledged to support the education of vulnerable but academically bright children who are unable to afford school fees.
The commitment was made by Ateeq Muhammad Nawaz, who was re-elected President of the Pakistan Association in Lango Sub-region on Sunday at Lira Hotel.
Ateeq said the association would identify bright but financially disadvantaged children in government schools and support them with their education.
“In this term, I shall extend our support to bright children at school but are financially unable to pay school fees,” Ateeq said.
“We shall reach government schools and identify them and start as soon as possible,” he added.
Ateeq said the association had already undertaken several community initiatives in Lango and Acholi sub-regions, particularly in providing access to clean water.
He said the association had drilled and rehabilitated community boreholes in several districts, with Lamwo District benefiting from 18 boreholes.
“We have done a lot of social work for the community. Not only that, every year we support Ngetta Babies Home as part of corporate social responsibility by caring for the orphans,” Ateeq said.
He added that the association had also provided food items, including posho, beans and cooking oil, to about 5,000 vulnerable people, as well as white canes to people with visual impairment.
Ateeq overwhelmingly won the election, defeating his opponent, Shah Nazir, with 47 votes against Nazir’s nine. The election was presided over by Hamuza Okello, Principal Private Secretary to Won Nyaci me Lango, Engineer Dr Michael Odongo Okune.
Stronger Lango-Pakistan ties
Okello said the relationship between the Pakistani community in Lira and the Lango community had continued to demonstrate the importance of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, cultural exchange and cooperation.
He said the Pakistani community had made valuable contributions to the social and economic development of the Lango sub-region through business, employment creation and community engagement.
“I appreciate this relationship and remain committed to strengthening cooperation, dialogue and understanding between the two communities for the benefit of present and future generations,” Okello said.
He said Ateeq’s re-election was a welcome development and an opportunity to further deepen the relationship between the Pakistani community and Lango Cultural Institution.
He congratulated the new leadership and said he looked forward to working closely with them to promote friendship, unity, peaceful coexistence, cultural understanding and development.
Moris Chris Ongom, Chairperson of the Uganda Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Lira City, commended Ateeq for the leadership he had demonstrated.
Ongom said Ateeq was also a member of the finance and administration committees at Lango Cultural Institution.
“We have done because Lango is republican and very democratic. As long as you bring values that align with how we do things, we cooperate with you. So, we are highly associated with the community of Pakistani people and we want to welcome you to our community,” Ongom said.
He said Lango valued people regardless of their nationality or colour, noting that communities across the world shared common human needs despite political boundaries.
Patrick Okwir, Speaker of Lira City Council, commended the Pakistani community for its corporate social responsibility initiatives in Lira City.
Okwir said the association had organised several eye medical camps in the city, benefiting a number of residents.
He appealed to the association to continue supporting communities in Lira and assured its members that the city leadership would provide the necessary support.