The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A section of leaders in the Acholi Sub-region has asked President Museveni to embark on a national truth-telling and reconciliation process to bring total healing in areas across the country where various atrocities have been committed under his regime.
The call follows the President’s remarks over the weekend in Gulu City where he asked for forgiveness from the people in the Acholi Sub-region over the failures and mistakes of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
While addressing a congregation at a prayer crusade, President Museveni noted that as NRM, they take full responsibility for all the mistakes that were made at various levels in the sub-region region by leaders they entrusted in the past.
Museveni also prayed for the commencement of a process of genuine reconciliation between the NRM-led government and the people in the region and asked God to complete the healing process.
He noted that the NRM government is committed to the welfare of the people in the region and also to their development and prosperity.
Philip Okin Ojara, the Chua West County MP however says while they welcome the President’s request for forgiveness and acknowledgement of past mistakes, it’s hard to entirely believe that he is being honest.
He also notes that the process of reconciliation shouldn’t be isolated to the Acholi sub-region only but the entire country that had a similar or even worse so that it becomes a national reconciliation issue.
Former Leader of Opposition Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo says acknowledgment of NRM mistakes in the country should set a pace for the establishment of the national truth and reconciliation process. He says the country is in pain and isolating the reconciliation in only one region won’t achieve healing for those still grieving in other areas.
Prof. Latigo says whereas the President has made a good start towards reconciliation, a single statement can wash away the pains people have endured and urged that the process should be taken further.
“The pain in people’s hearts cannot be washed away by a single statement of the president, no…I would be deceiving the country, and I would be lying to myself. It is something in the right direction but it’s just the start of something that must be undertaken in this country,” said Prof Latigo.
Rwot Collins Muttu Atiko II, the Chief of Patiko clan says reconciliation takes processes and notes that to achieve its meaning, all the required stages have to be fulfilled in order for one to be forgiven for the wrongs they did.
He lauded the President for taking a bold move to ask for forgiveness adding that the step will bring peace and understanding between the government and the Acholi people.
****
URN
