Sir. Abunerry

AT THE ROYAL BONFIRE After two market days, I travelled home since I had recovered from the injury I had incurred. The intention was to inform my clanmates about Laker, the only girl everyone craved in Magwi. Luckily, my arrival coincided with an organised Kal Kwaro Day. Kal Kwaro Day was when the king blessed all the princes in the kingdom. Among others, I was the lead prince. When evening came, we gathered at the palace around the bonfire. My father asked how my stay in Magwi had been. I told him and all the members everything that had happened and how Laker had hooked me. Yes, she had hooked me, and I could not do without her. The bright, shiny teeth, the breasts that looked like our beautiful mountain’s peak, and the dance steps she made were unbeatable. Who else could make the whole kingdom shake when Laker appeared on the stage? It was as if the gathering had heard sad news from Ajwaka, the chief spirit. Nobody said anything. I became scared. What is wrong? I wondered. O...

Part 2. THE NIGHT WITHOUT LAKER IN THE BE The pain from the blow of the Akwaya gnaws at my nerves. I slipped from the Yat Yaa and nearly fell into the river. Help! I shouted. Okeny and the others only laughed mockingly. Quickly, I climbed down the tree and hurried home to tend the bleeding. I will never forgive that pain. I must touch Laker if I cannot take her home. How can she hit me with an Akwaya? That is a taboo in the kingdom of Gott Lotti. Still, because of her beauty, I will plan better for her. That evening, I did not sit at Wang Oo, as it had always been. The pain was too much to bear. Nobody in the family even bothered to ask why I could not join the bonfire that night. I lay on my Amokoding, a fine bed I crafted from raa lagaada when I became a young man. Soon, the night fell into silence. My mind wandered back to Laker and the drama at the river. No problem—I will push harder. I must win her. In the distance, I could hear the sounds of lyres, harps, and cymbals, with women...

An article to encourage you to fully be a church member Are you a member or considering becoming a member of an association or a club? Being a member of an association or a community is essential for social growth and a sense of belonging, as every individual seeks identity, purpose, and security within a larger social framework. Even growing children naturally desire to join groups that provide order and shared values. Collaboration continues to be a vital element of success, as no visionary person can flourish in isolation. In the same way, biblical figures such as Paul , who worked with Timothy and Barnabas , demonstrated the power of membership. Likewise, Jesus , who chose twelve apostles, also highlighted the importance of partnership and teamwork. Contextually, for believers today, participation in a local church is vital for spiritual maturity, identity development, restoration, and obedience to God 's command to fellowship. Active membership not only fosters growth but als...

The weather was hot. The boys gathered under the tamarind tree, its shadow swiftly travelling from west to east. “What should we do?” Okeny asked. “Let’s go swimming,” I replied. We all headed to the stream — Wang Ayii — our usual place for swimming. Between us stood a large yat lam , the tree that separates the girls’ side from the boys’. Sometimes, when the season allows, we meet at a point farther along the river. The girls of different ages often sing their favourite songs as they swim or wash clothes. Others intentionally bring their laundry just to be part of the fun. As the sun tilts toward evening, the younger girls return home, while the older ones stay or come to bathe. Laker would always arrive with her collection of utensils. She came with two friends and her young sister, whose presence could ease any tense moment. Laker was carefully watched because of her beauty and virtue. No girl could match her humility. She worked like a bee, and every village boy admired her — I ...

Poem – November 4, 2025 Who Am I? I don’t seek followers—only those who understand my message. I offer nothing personal—only words from ink. Obey my ink for two reasons: It is gentle and calm like a dove, to those who deserve kindness— a blessing to the common citizen. It is sharp and cutting like a double-edged sword. exposing the true enemies of the people. My pen is my weapon—unforgettable and unstoppable. striking in every direction. Who am I? I am a gifted teacher, seeking invisible treasures. A poet, healing and informing broken souls. A singer, lifting and strengthening hearts. An advocate, calling attention where it’s due. Together, we— Roll out the vagabonds. Dismantle the crooks. Blaze away the chaos. Not bullets, but ballots. Not guns, but pens. We confuse them; we conquer them. We are the citizens. We are the commons. Together tight, together right! Poet; abunerry, ayella  

Picture for illustrations only.   Poem – November 2025 What else can I say? Our education system is one of the strongest— One that could build paradise on earth, One that could employ millions in a single day, One that could turn war into peace. But one thing remains a nightmare— The Mismanagement of the System. What else can I say? Pupils learn in unprofessional spaces. The classroom is but the shade of a tree That keeps shifting from west to east. When storms come, lessons end abruptly; When the sky rains, the school shuts down for the day. One thing remains a nightmare— The Mismanagement of the System. What else can I say? Low-salaried professionals are abandoned. While the unqualified steer the wheel through the dark. They endure to deliver, yet ahead lies a deep pit. What a tragedy! What a loss of life and purpose! One thing remains a nightmare— The Mismanagement of the System. What else can I say? Despite all commitments, Pens still dribble freely i...

Courtesy " Today, I am among the speakers I once looked up to. " 29-10-2025 October 27, 2025, marked the beginning of the Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition, organised by the Acholi Nation in Magwi Payam. It is a commendable initiative that I am excited to follow. I watched Fr Leopoldo Secondary School fall to Covenant Progressive in the opening round—a thrilling start indeed! Debate is an engaging activity that every student should eagerly embrace as part of their learning journey. It offers numerous benefits, including sharpening speaking skills, fostering social cohesion, and building confidence. Through debating, students sharpen their communication skills as they learn how to position themselves effectively before an audience, use gestures that capture attention, construct sentences correctly, and refine their grammar. With continued participation, a student gradually becomes more eloquent and confident in speech. Debates also help strengthen social cohesion. ...

A Maasai of Kenya By Abunerry, Ayella 28-10-2025 I saw a video circulating online from Ghana, where a school took its students to salons to have their long hair shaved. The incident backfired, with some criticising and others applauding the move. I would rather not engage in the argument, but I have found myself a victim of a similar situation, as we once experienced the same scene in one of the schools I attended. Those who criticised the shaving of students’ hair called it “colonialism”, while others stood by the school’s policy. It took me twelve hours to conduct personal research and gather important facts about long hair. In this case, I want to limit the fact-finding to the students who are most affected when issues related to hair shaving arise. My argument is a balanced one that looks at both the physical and academic effects of long hair. These include cultural identity, self-expression, confidence, and protection. Let us explore in detail the significance of long hair on st...

Ode to the Grave. Title: Grave Is Free-doom Grave costs not your pocket. Grave costs not your peace. Grave costs not your safety, Nor the love you keep. For the grave envies not. It hates not. It chooses not. It covets not. It is for all. So— Laugh not at the grave. Smile not at its shadow. Envy not each fleeting joy. Hate not another’s peace. Break not what others build. Build not on borrowed ground. The grave awaits each soul alike. Grave is freedom— a gate, where all are equal, and all are still. Poet: Sir Abunerry, Ayella Magwi Town

"Ride Less, Walk More." Bishop Paride Taban . Everyone desires a better and healthier life, but following health routines is as difficult as drinking water. Living healthily requires adopting better ways of living. So, how can one live healthily for a better life? Have you thought of the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual development to maintain excellent health? In this article, I have provided free advice to follow on how to live a healthy lifestyle regardless of your age or commitments. To live healthily, rest is a vital asset. Staying awake and having minimal rest, such as during sleep or post-work relaxation, can make one unhealthy as their mind becomes clouded with fatigue. Rest is a remedy for any ill health caused by tiredness. Stress and distress require regular exercise. Many suffer strokes and other illnesses due to a lack of regular physical activity , which is common among people who consume excess fat. We should allocate at least 30 minutes to an hour ...

Photo: Voice of Freedom FM. "Let us avoid enabling Satan by giving credit to him in the name of black spirits working." Introduction I was puzzled that the faithful in Magwi Payam organised a two-day prayer and fasting about the rampant accidents occurring in the area. They attribute accidents to the black spirits, with some attesting to it. While these allegations might be true, I disagree with Faithful’s prayers to prevent accidents. There are reasons accidents occur, ranging from recklessness to poor road signs and development. Prayers offered to prevent accidents are like chasing the wind that we cannot catch unless we address the real issues, such as improving road signs, road development, sensitisation, and education. I write this to remind the faithful to direct their prayers correctly where they matter and help the local people to avoid spiritualising some of the real issues coincidentally. Possible Causes of Road Accidents First, one of the causes of an acciden...

Why Equatoria Stands Out, By Kenyi Ya Kenyi ,  13/10/2025 South Sudanese Advocate & Human Rights Lawyer Kenyi YA Kenyi on Why Only Equatoria Can Stand as a Viable and Independent State in South Sudan . The human rights lawyer Kenyi has highlighted that among all regions of South Sudan, Equatoria alone meets the criteria to exist as a viable and independent state. Speaking on the issue of state viability amid South Sudan’s ongoing governance crises, Kenyi emphasized the unique political, social, and economic strengths of Equatoria compared to Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile .  “The question of which region can govern itself effectively, peacefully, and sustainably has never been more urgent,” Kenyi stated. “By every legal, political, and economic measure, Equatoria stands out as the only region capable of maintaining stability and building a prosperous society.” Drawing lessons from history, Kenyi compared the situation to the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, which prod...

Image: Courtesy.  "By the way, there is no middle ground in deciding." DEVOTION 12/10/2025 Text: Psalm 14:1. Greetings, my brothers and sisters. I hope you are having a wonderful moment. Do you know who a fool is? A fool is someone who knows the reality but does not believe in or do it; rather, they intentionally deny and oppose it. Many people know alcohol and cigarettes are harmful to health but still drink or smoke, hurting themselves. Similarly, many people know that bowing before an image is unbiblical, yet still glorify those images; some ask those images to pray for them. They deny Jesus as their mediator with God. Some people call Jesus a white god and reject his authority, resorting to their traditional philosophy , ideals, gods, or spirits. These people, the Bible calls them fools. In Psalm 14:1 , the Psalmist says, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt; they have done abominable works; there is none that doeth good.” That means a fo...

DEVOTION 10/10/2025 Text: Hebrews 10:21-24 Hello brothers and sisters, How do you access God's presence? Have you ever thought of asking your pastor to request God to put your name in the Book of Life ? Well, the Israelites complained to Moses that they wanted to access and see God, the One they believed had helped them escape Egypt . The call deafened Moses to the point that he consulted God for an answer. When that time came, the people were frightened because the appearance of God was beyond their sight. Since then, they never longed to see God because He could not be approached with a sinful nature. The distance between the Israelites and God widened over time due to ongoing sin. Thousands of years later, God sent Christ to bridge the gap. Through His blood, He opened a way into God's presence. This time, not through animal sacrifices as had been the practice, but by accessing God's throne with a true heart in full assurance of faith, as stated in Hebrews 10:22 . Th...

Destroyed Roof in Pageri, Courtesy " They lived on the innocence's sweats. "  If you had never been to that village or its neighbour, you might think it was just a false story. But the truth was quite different. Owiku never slept. During the day, it hooted softly, but come evening, it was more alert, as if sensing the approaching darkness. The villagers deserted their homes, and a feeling of unease settled in. Trucks filled with children and women moved through the jungles seeking safety, while the men guarded the rear, like a startled elephant protecting its calf. As night fell, darkness cloaked the sky beyond, and minds wandered in chaos. The question echoed in everyone's mind: Why us? The villagers would never find an answer to a question.   Meanwhile, the invaders, promised by their leaders, vandalised roofs, metal doors, and remnants inside houses. They slaughtered those they found. Some homes became toilets; schools became their barracks, and hospitals into kitc...