When I worked in a law firm, I realized that that was not my calling, because I am person who likes to support people in need. But when a person comes to a law firm, most times it is about how much money do you have for this work.

And most women who would come, did not have the money. So that drove me to work with NGOs and I started a number of initiatives. In 2006, I had the knowledge, I asked:

Why don’t I go home, where I am married in Kitgum and Pader?

I am a resource person, why do I need to sit in Kampala?

I am a lawyer, I can do my lawyering elsewhere. I went to Pader and I started a women’s organisation. At that time, many women were coming from captivity. They had so many challenges. They had lost children.

When I went to Pader, there was no power, and I was: should I really stay in this place? There was no water, but I sustained my stay because I loved what I was doing. And I have done great work in the region.

I am happy that a Lango girl has contributed to Acholi. My Acholi people treat me so well, because they know I am a resources person.

But, when I left Kampala, my lawyer friend said:

“Betty, why do you have to go to the village? I don’t think you are a lawyer.”

When they see people going to offices, they say that person is working. But there is work that we do that is not recognised. And sometimes this work is mainly done by women. Girls who leave university and other institutions, go back to do this work.

You find her cleaning the home; caring for the sick; and they say, these people are useless, what are you doing here, you have not got a man?

I know boys also have their challenges, but for us girls, we are forced, why are you still home, don’t you see your friends are married?

This text is extracted from the speech Ms. Akullo Betty gave at CPAR Uganda Lira Centre on Saturday, 17th April 2021.