ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS URGE LRA SURVIVORS TO FORGIVE THEIR TORMENTORS

Academic researchers and Scholars during a public lecture at Gulu University
 
By Proscovia Achomo

Gulu City
 
The Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA) survivors in Northern Uganda have been urged to forgive and reconcile with the perpetrators of the various atrocities committed against them during the LRA insurgency in the region.

This plea was made during a public lecture organized by Gulu University Department of Mental Health under the Faculty of Medicine on the theme “Forgiveness, justice and reconciliation after the war in Northern Uganda: What do they have to do with one another?” attended by hundreds of participants including the LRA survivors in Northern Uganda, civil society organizations, scholars and local leaders.

Brig. General Bonny Bamwiseki, the Defence Attache in Juba, South Sudan who was a former UPDF 4th Division Commander called on Lord Resistance Army-LRA survivors to Forgive their perpetrators and forget the atrocities committed by the LRA rebels during the two-decade-long insurgency in Northern Uganda.

Bamwiseki acknowledged that it is very difficult to forgive and forget but once that is done, it marks the beginning of a healing process in the lives of the affected people. “We should also agree that people make mistakes, but once we denounce them, we reconcile, we use peaceful means and agree that it is solved, we make it a closing chapter, ‘he said.

Susan Ayot, a community worker in Gulu City said that healing is a process, it takes time depending on the depth of the impact on each individual. She however stressed that the process of healing has to be given to the victims, if not they will never forgive and forget. “People in the rural areas still live in poverty, remember that the war victims were not given resettlement packages when they were leaving the IDP camps. These people still use hand hoes for tilling their land instead of modern farming methods, “she said.

Ayot continued that while a few could have moved on, majority of the victims of the LRA are still in pain and haunted by the more than two decades of war.

Betty Adong, a survivor said that they need full accountability for the atrocities, the LRA and UPDF committed because their absence will always remain an issue if not addressed. “Many survivors still live with injuries and psychological trauma, and some haven’t received compensation for their losses and lack the skills and education essential to lift themselves out of the situations the war placed them in.” she noted.

Meanwhile, Francis Oloya, a war trauma survivor revealed that, he lost his sight during the insurgency to bomb blast when he was 12 years saying that it took him 20 years to nurse physical injuries, and with all that he went through, it’s really hard for him to forgive and forget, the only thing he could do is maybe release the perpetrators.
 
Sheikh Musa Kalil, the Acting Northern Regional Assistant to the Mufti in
Uganda attending the public lecture

Sheikh Musa Khalil, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of Acholi Religious Peace Initiative-ARLPI and the Northern Regional Assistant to Mufti of Uganda says both the Bible and Quran talk about forgiveness and therefore, forgiving and forgetting are very key in the lives of all people.

The Vice Chancellor of Gulu University, Prof. Openjuru George Ladaah said even though the survivors forgive the LRA rebels for the atrocities committed on them, the perpetrators should also be repentant and apologize for their actions.

Prof. Openjuru guarantees the survivors that Gulu University will organize a similar engagement and bring on board the government to discuss better reparation plans for the LRA survivors.

Meanwhile, Prof. Stephen Pope from Boston University who was the lead facilitator said that for forgiveness to transpire and be meaningful, the perpetrators should acknowledge their wrong doings publicly with honest discussions and apologies that translate into repentance.

Rev. Fr. Jino Mwaka, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sacred Heart who represented Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese Dr. John Baptist Odama, said as long as we carry anger and resentment for someone’s mistakes, we continue to suffer and remain in prison to bitterness.

Citing from the Gospel of Mathew 13:15-17, he said that this chapter highlights the reconciliatory procedures of dialogue, mediation, arbitration and access to justice for the community. 

Rev Fr Jino continued that, while remaining unwilling to be compassionate to others undermines every effort to bring peace where there has been disruption in human relationships, and hence to restore peace and harmony in relationships, forgiveness is a necessity in the community. “I urge those affected by LRA war to forgive and embrace peace and harmony since the past can never be changed," he noted.