Odama calls for reconciliation

Sep 16, 2009

RECONCILIATION is a must if Uganda is to survive the effects of the northern insurgency, the Archbishop of Gulu Diocese, John Baptist Odama, has said.

By Jude Kafuuma

RECONCILIATION is a must if Uganda is to survive the effects of the northern insurgency, the Archbishop of Gulu Diocese, John Baptist Odama, has said.

Odama, who is the chairperson of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, made the remarks last week during a three-day conference for religious leaders at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba.

The theme of the conference organised by the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and CARITAS Uganda was ‘Search for sustainable National Reconciliation, Justice and Peace at all levels.

Odama emphasised his commitment to reconciliation, saying it was necessary for all religious leaders, government and NGO stakeholders if the country was to attain its former peaceful co-existence.

He challenged political and all religious leaders as stewards of the mission of God to love, trust and foster peaceful co-existence among divergent cultures. “Ours as religious and even political leaders must be a legacy of reconciling Ugandans. We cannot do less and cannot fail to do more as leaders of the voiceless,” Odama said.

He said the problem of the Kony rebels in northern Uganda had been exported to the Central African Republic (CAR), adding that it was Uganda’s responsibility to restore peace in the CAR.

Odama remarked that the effects of the northern insurgency, which affected the national economy were beyond Uganda’s capacity to handle. He urged the international community to help the people of northern Uganda regain their lost peace.

To emphasise the possibility of reconciliation, he said the existence of the Acholi Religious Leaders’ Coalition was a clear indicator of the prospect for peace.

He called upon religious leaders and all government stakeholders to be part of the peace building process and avoid tribal wrangles.

“For reconciliation all stakeholders must embrace the peace they want to see. Issues of tribalism and traditional institutions will only reciprocate more trouble,” Odama noted.

On the disagreements between Mengo and the Government, the Muslim and Anglican religious leaders led prayers for the restoration of peace and reconciliation between the two sides.

“It is only God, who can restore peace. May God control the situation in Buganda and send away the devil snatching peace from his sons and daughters,” said Dr Stephen Kazimba, the Bishop of Mityana Diocese.

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