By Kaleb Yiiki

Nebbi

Radio Pacis Celebrated the 19^th Anniversary of existence with a call to the Alur Speaking people to take advantage of the physical presence of the Radio in Nebbi Municipality for Socio-economic transformation.

The 19^th Anniversary Celebrations marked with a colorful holy mass at the Bishop’s Residence in Nebbi Catholic Diocese Head Quarters was animated by Nebbi Cathedral Choir and officiated by the Two Bishops of Arua and Nebbi Catholic Dioceses in participation and attendance of Invited Guests including Political Leaders, Civil Servant Leaders in Nebbi, Partners and other Media Houses and thereafter a football and Netball match, played between Radio Pacis staff and the staff of Nebbi Municipality Local Government.

The Football Match ended into 1-1 draw, whereas Radio Pacis Netball Team Lost to Nebbi Municipality Local Government.

Radio Pacis established a bureau and furnished it with a studio for 94.5FM housed at the Nebbi Catholic Diocese Offices at Nebbi Municipality. This means that anyone who would like to carry out Talk Shows and other on air programs for the Alur Speaking Community will come to the Bureau and get connected live on 94.5 FM right from Nebbi, cutting travelling costs to and fro the Alur land up to Arua, where the main Station is located.

Charity Arurunga the Deputy Mayor Nebbi Municipality is very grateful for Radio Pacis Bureau establishment in Nebbi Municipality. “We used to board either a taxi or even a lorry to take our announcements and other on air related programs to Arua, now that today as we celebrate the 19^th Radio Pacis Anniversary in Nebbi Municipality, we are so happy!” She narrates.

 
Charity Arurunga, Deputy Mayor Nebbi appreciating Radio pacis

Similarly, Flavia Acirocan, the Assistant Programs manager in charge of 94.5fm revealed that the Main reason for celebrating the 19^th Anniversary in Nebbi is to make the Alur Speaking People own Radio Pacis and that the establishment of the Nebbi bureau is aimed at bringing Radio services closer to the People of Alur land. “Death Announcement at Radio Pacis is free of charges, you can bring announcement for the death of a loved one so that people are updated and get to know the next arrangements and I strongly urge the people in Alur Land to make good use of the Nebbi Bureau”, she Recommended.

When called upon to speak to the guests, the vividly excited Founder of Radio Pacis Rev. Father Tonino Passolini could not hold his happiness and Joy. He said, “When Sherry and I were appointed to start a radio for the Diocese, there was nothing and after a month or two, some land was given and that was it! And now coming here after 19 years, oh! I can’t imagine! Surely, when somebody is 18 years he still has the strength to grow and this is what Radio Pacis can do.”

Monsignor Charles Idraku, the Director Radio Pacis gave assurance to the Alur Speaking People that, Radio Pacis has come to their Land to support build each Individual Alur Speaking Community Member Holistically, through imparting community building Gospel values.   He continued to allay the fears of the leaders about positive reporting that Radio Pacis Management takes time to build her staff, in order to live to the Gospel values of the Radio because, Radio Pacis Management is aware of the people’s trust in the Radio that, whatever is said on the Radio is taken to be concrete by many Community Members.


Monsignor Charles Idraku, the Director Radio Pacis.

He thus implored the Faithful’s in Nebbi Catholic Diocese to listen to their Bishop every Wednesdays and to listen to other programs of the different departments of the Catholic Church in Nebbi Catholic Diocese on every Tuesdays. He further implored the different partners to come to Radio Pacis to tell their Clients what they offer. “We have the power to amplify your voice; we don’t talk ourselves, but we make your voice louder and help you to reach People’s bedrooms, sitting rooms and where they go to relax without being there physically.” He urged.

There has been an Overwhelming demand from the Alur Speaking people especially those in Nebbi area that the 94.5fm frequency does not reach them and that Radio Pacis Management considers establishing the station at Nebbi Town to help the Radio broadcast signals reach to the parts defrauded by the hilly terrains.

Bishop of Arua Diocese Rt. Rev. Sabino Ochan Odoki while speaking during the anniversary celebrations said Radio Pacis has a wider and ambitious plan of reaching out to different places in Uganda but urged members to pray for God’s Guidance to make this plan become a reality. “For me I want to say that I also bless this move that the 94.5fm Radio Pacis station instead of being in Arua City be brought to Nebbi so that the people can access the services without unnecessary transport costs”, he affirms.

Similarly while addressing the Invited Guests during the Anniversary Celebrations, Rt. Rev. Bishop Raphael P’mony Wokorach the Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese, pledged to offer land for Radio Pacis Station Establishment in Nebbi Catholic Diocese. Bishop Raphael also urged the faithful, to listen to Radio Pacis Programs, to change their negative Cultural views.
 
He narrated a story about himself when he visited a family in Congo where the delicacy of the Tribe is Caterpillars called shedin. He reveled that he could not open his mouth to eat the special meal prepared for him because of his background information that caterpillars cannot be eaten. Yet the family members had vehemently urged him to at least taste their precious Shedin but he completely refused.

The Bishop thus urged the faithful to turn away from cultural disorientations and embrace tolerance and harmonious living. “We are fruits of what we hear, we know that what we hear and what we love passes through the kind of communication through the word that we received,” he advised.

COVER PHOTO: Annivesary Cake Cutting by Bishops Wokorach and Ochan Odoki with staff of radio Pacis and leaders from Nebbi By Kaleb Yiiki