Clergy accuse Mao of inciting Gulu
Apr 18, 2011
BISHOPS under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) have blamed the Gulu district chairman, Norbert Mao, for inciting violence in Gulu by taking the ‘walk-to-work’ campaign.
By CHRIS OCOWUN
BISHOPS under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) have blamed the Gulu district chairman, Norbert Mao, for inciting violence in Gulu by taking the ‘walk-to-work’ campaign.
This was in their message to political leaders, government officials and security organs during a dialogue organised by ARLPI at St. Monica Girls Vocational Training School on Sunday.
“The Police said 12 people have been taken to court and charged, why not take Mao to court as well and charge him since he is the author of the violence,†retired Anglican Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng said.
He said such demonstrations evoked memories of the LRA war whose wounds were still fresh and whose traumatic effects were still being faced.
The bishops vowed to use radios to urge people to shun the ‘walk-to-work’ demonstration.
On Thursday, the Police fired tear gas to disperse a rowdy crowd that was being led by Mao. Running battles ensued between Mao’s supporters and the Police backed by the army. Three civilians were killed in the chaos.
“We also condemn civilians who looted other people’s property during the protests as well as the army and the Police for using excessive force that led to death and injury,†Onono said.
The ‘walk-to-work’ campaign spearheaded by opposition groups is a protest against rising fuel and commodity prices.
The Police insist demonstrations are illegal unless cleared by the Force, while the demonstrators insist it is their right to walk to work.
The ARLPI chairman, Bishop Johnson Gakumba of the northern Uganda Diocese, castigated the opposition for shunning dialogue and resorting to violence.
“ The LRA leader, Joseph Kony, is not here, but his spirits of violence, burning houses and war are still with us. It is unfortunate that our own sons and daughters like Beatrice Anywar, Odonga Otto and Mao are at the forefront of the demonstrations,†he remarked.
Gakumba urged the Government to use the Police and not the army to quell the demonstrations.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama asked God to offer peace and unity among the people and guide the nation.
The UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema Awany, accused Mao and other opposition leaders of using fuel prices to seek state power instead of using legitimate means.
“Uganda is not Egypt, Ivory Coast or Algeria that they want to emulate. Those countries are not democratic like Uganda,†Otema said.
He vowed to cane those who will again try to ‘walk to work’ in Gulu.
Among those who died during last week’s demonstration in Gulu were Charles Odur, a nephew to Bishop Onono, an old woman who died of shock and another only identified as Adoni from Sironko district.
The bishops advised people to desist from provoking the Police and other security organs by throwing stones, blocking roads and taking the law into their hands.
BISHOPS under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) have blamed the Gulu district chairman, Norbert Mao, for inciting violence in Gulu by taking the ‘walk-to-work’ campaign.
This was in their message to political leaders, government officials and security organs during a dialogue organised by ARLPI at St. Monica Girls Vocational Training School on Sunday.
“The Police said 12 people have been taken to court and charged, why not take Mao to court as well and charge him since he is the author of the violence,†retired Anglican Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng said.
He said such demonstrations evoked memories of the LRA war whose wounds were still fresh and whose traumatic effects were still being faced.
The bishops vowed to use radios to urge people to shun the ‘walk-to-work’ demonstration.
On Thursday, the Police fired tear gas to disperse a rowdy crowd that was being led by Mao. Running battles ensued between Mao’s supporters and the Police backed by the army. Three civilians were killed in the chaos.
“We also condemn civilians who looted other people’s property during the protests as well as the army and the Police for using excessive force that led to death and injury,†Onono said.
The ‘walk-to-work’ campaign spearheaded by opposition groups is a protest against rising fuel and commodity prices.
The Police insist demonstrations are illegal unless cleared by the Force, while the demonstrators insist it is their right to walk to work.
The ARLPI chairman, Bishop Johnson Gakumba of the northern Uganda Diocese, castigated the opposition for shunning dialogue and resorting to violence.
“ The LRA leader, Joseph Kony, is not here, but his spirits of violence, burning houses and war are still with us. It is unfortunate that our own sons and daughters like Beatrice Anywar, Odonga Otto and Mao are at the forefront of the demonstrations,†he remarked.
Gakumba urged the Government to use the Police and not the army to quell the demonstrations.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama asked God to offer peace and unity among the people and guide the nation.
The UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema Awany, accused Mao and other opposition leaders of using fuel prices to seek state power instead of using legitimate means.
“Uganda is not Egypt, Ivory Coast or Algeria that they want to emulate. Those countries are not democratic like Uganda,†Otema said.
He vowed to cane those who will again try to ‘walk to work’ in Gulu.
Among those who died during last week’s demonstration in Gulu were Charles Odur, a nephew to Bishop Onono, an old woman who died of shock and another only identified as Adoni from Sironko district.
The bishops advised people to desist from provoking the Police and other security organs by throwing stones, blocking roads and taking the law into their hands.