End War, Bukenya Tells Acholi

By Okello JabweliTHE Minister for the the Presidency, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has appealed to Acholi leaders to devise means of ending the northern war.Bukenya, who is on a one-week fact-finding mission in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts, was on Tuesday meeting Acholi religious leaders and the Acholi paramount chief, Rwot Achana II.“My appeal to the Acholi is to work toward stopping the war. Let us stop the war and stop lamenting,” Bukenya said. The meeting at the residence of Gulu archbishop John Baptist Odama, was attended by retired Kitgum bishop Macleord Baker Ochola II, Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng, Gulu district Kadhi Musa Khelil. MPs Norbert Mao, Okello Oryem, Jacob Oulanyah and Jane Akwero also attended the meeting.Onweng said the people feel dialogue was the only way to end the conflict. “The cry of the people is that the Government should humble itself and talk to Kony. They want an official communication from the President. They feel the UPDF is tired of fighting and there is need to re-think the way forward,” he said.Bukenya is in the region on the directive of President Yoweri Museveni. His visit comes against a background of renewed raids by LRA rebels on internally displaced people’s camps and UPDF detachments.The rebels have attacked over 10 camps and UPDF detachments, displacing over 30,000 people.Ends