Involve all stakeholders in Agenda II-Report
Calls for National Conference
Castigates ICC
BY JOHN MUTO-ONO P”LAJUR
GULU
15th September 2006

THE people of the greater northern Uganda have
recommended that not only the government and the
Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel should discuss the
next agenda, which deals with Comprehensive Solutions
to the problems afflicting Uganda as a country, when
talks between them resumes in the Southern Sudanese
capital city, Juba.
“For the first time, you are showing practical signs
of unity, the kind of national unity that President
Museveni talked of while mourning former president
Milton Obote last year…. There is no way we can say
that Ugandans are not divided when some people are
referred to as “Opoko mamwa”, (a common reference to
Banyankole). It is a very high time that we go back to
the drawing table so that the Pearl of Africa regains
its lost glory.” Gulu RDC, Col. Walter Ochora-Odoch
said.
He made the remark while closing a one-day
consultation meeting meant to gather local
inputs/views to the Juba talks from councilors
elected, elders and religious leaders from Gulu,
Kitgum, Pader and Amuru districts at the Gulu District
Council hall on September 13th, 2006.
Pader LCV Chairman, Peter Odok W”Oceng, led a15-member
peace mobilization team to mobilize support and gather
opinions on the on going Juba talks from the affected
communities in Teso, Lango, Karamoja, Acholi, Bunyoro
and West Nile sub-regions. Their report is expected to
boost up the chief mediator, Dr. Riek Machar.
The Chairman of the new district of Abim, which was
curved out of Kotido, Norman Ocero, said the military
option have failed to bring peace for the last twenty
years. He said this is the best opportunity ever, for
Ugandans to reconcile with one another.
“Details of agenda two would be discussed by our
mothers when they are n their homes. I hear one party
to the conflict is talking of giving the other “soft
landing.” I was thinking that it is us who are giving
them a soft landing. 20 years of war have not brought
peace.”The LCV Chairman of Amuria, Julius Ocen said the
suffering in the greater north has it bearing on the
nature of the democracy we have in Uganda, which must
be addressed. He said other regions enjoy the weakness
of the greater northern Uganda because they are not
united.
“Others will enjoy our weaknesses because of the
cracks we have on the wall. God is preparing us for a
bigger cake. It is an opportunity to take to lead this
country again. We are heading for victory.” He said.
Masindi LCV Chairman, Stephen Birija proposed the
setting up an independent commission to conduct
enquiries/consultation throughout Uganda for inputs to
discuss agenda two comprehensively. He argues that the
LRA rebellion is just the symptom of a much deeper
political problem we have in Uganda.
“If the solution is arrived at by only two parties in
Juba, then another region may rise up. Rights are not
received on a silver plate but are bargained for. Let
every Ugandan be involved in agenda two, but the
procedures can be agreed on in Juba.”
Kerobino Paul Ojok (Gulu) said there are too many
items on agenda two, which needs another forum for all
Ugandans to contribute. He said such a forum might
delay the peace talks up to July 2007. His Colleague,
Alex Otim, said delegate representing all Ugandans
should discuss agenda two from a neutral country such
as Sudan or South Africa.
“Agenda number two should be discussed in Sudan or any
other country other than Uganda. When it is done in
Uganda, things will not be done in the right way.”
Otim said.
Position on ICC
Many speakers were of the view that President Museveni
did not consult widely when he decided to refer the
conflict in northern Uganda to the ICC, saying that he
would have been advised otherwise. Many of them
appealed to parliament to prevail over the stalemate
concerning the ICC.
“We should let the ICC know that when Museveni
reported the LRA o the ICC, he had not consulted us
who were butchered. We would have told Museveni that
let us try ur own traditional justice. Museveni would
not have taken the LRA to ICC.” Makmot Kitara (Gulu)
said.
“ICC is not a problem because they did not know us in
the first place. The government should write to ICC to
withdraw the case so that we deal with the problem
culturally. We know that our culture works around the
table,” says Alex Otim (Gulu).
“There was no consultations on ICC, otherwise the UPDF
also committed atrocities. For example the 14th UPDF
battalion committed atrocities in Anaka in 1990”,
Komakech F. Innocent (Amuru) said.
“Parliament should take the lead on ICC. The ICC is a
mere convention. We can even withdraw from the
Convention”, Titus Lak Kidega (Pader elder)
“Both sides committed atrocities in the conflict.
Peter Oloya alias Yumbe was killed while in prison,
who will be penalized for his death?’ Betty Kibwota
(Gulu).
“There is nothing wrong with the ICC as an
institution. Sober people made the statue in Rome. The
Acholi community was saying why is the international
community not coming to help us, now they have come
(in the form of ICC). The ICC is independent whose
warrants can only be delayed by the UN Security
Council for a maximum of 24 months,” said Ochora.
Mato Oput
The representative of the Teso sub-region to the
talks, Julius Ocen appealed to cultural leaders and
scholars to document and harmonize traditional justice
systems like the mato oput of the Acholi culture so as
to convince other cultures that ours can actually
work.
“Traditional way of justice must be reflected in
writing. Many do not understand what mato oput is all
about? We need to have it in documentary form for
others to study.” He said.
ENDS