About
Rocco Paco
Restoring Acoli. Rebuilding Hope
Rocco Paco was born from the painful reality of a society left shattered after more than 20 years of war and life in internment camps. When the guns fell silent in 2006 and people returned home, it was clear: the very foundations of the Lwo Acoli community had collapsed.
Once defined by moral order, integrity, rich culture, education, unity, and hard work, Acoli society was replaced by a devastating new normal - alcoholism, poverty, broken families, land conflicts, dependency, and despair. This crisis, known as Too Paco, demanded urgent action.
In 2020, the first call to revive Acoli values was made. By 2023, leaders, elders, and the intelligentsia united in consultations that produced the Acoli Strategic Development Framework (ASDF) - a blueprint for rebuilding.
The movement culminated at Gurre me Pongdwongo (GmP), where over 1,500 leaders gathered in solidarity to chart a new path. From this historic moment, the mandate was clear: build an institution to lead Acoli’s rebirth.
In April 2024, Rocco Paco was officially launched as a charitable, non-profit organisation dedicated to rebuilding, restoring, and transforming Acoli society, rooted in values, culture, and hope.
Our Logo: A Symbol of Shared Burden, Shared Hope
It captures both the metaphor of Jobi ma opoto i bur (carrying the heavy log together) and the vision of renewal.
The Rocco Paco logo is more than a symbol; it is a story of struggle, resilience and rebirth.
The original sketches were created by Vienna-based artist Omin-wa, Thomas Alwii Vava, inspired by concepts we shared: the climb of an insurmountable mountain, the pilgrim’s long journey, the merging of rivers into a mighty confluence, and above all, the metaphor of Jobi ma opoto i bur, which means carrying a heavy log together. This image of unity in labour became the guiding inspiration.
Gulu-based artist and designer Denis Oceng then refined these ideas, transforming them into the final logo. His designs capture the essence of collective strength, showing that rebuilding Acoli society is possible only when carried together, shoulder to shoulder, as a people.
We are profoundly grateful to these two gifted artists for giving form to our vision, and to Mego Dina Auma Obita and Mego Grace Labong Achire, whose steadfast guidance shaped the creative journey. With the critical insights of Omin-wa Peter Paul Oloya, and the steady leadership and direction of Ambassador Olara Otunnu, we were able to craft a logo that embodies both heritage and hope.
The Rocco Paco logo stands as a beacon, reminding us that while the burden is heavy, carried together it becomes the foundation for a restored and transformed Acoli society