Since 1986, the Northern Uganda districts of Gulu and Kitgum have experienced a vicious and destructive war between the government army, the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF), and various fighting groups. In the last 8 years, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony has been the main group fighting against the National Resistance Government (NRM) Government of President Yoweri Museveni.

The conflict has resulted in serious violations of the human rights of the Acholi people (who inhabit Gulu and Kitgum districts) by both the LRA and the UPDF (Amnesty International Reports 1998, 1999). The LRA has abducted thousands of people, mainly children, tortured and murdered; and looted and destroyed property. The Government army has not been able to provide adequate protection to the civilian population. As a result, thousands of children are being held by the LRA in Southern Sudan and are regularly deployed in military operations in Southern Sudan and in Northern Uganda. In Northern Uganda, more than 400,000 civilians have been displaced from their homes and are confined to 'protected villages' established by the government, where they live under appalling conditions without adequate, food, shelter or healthcare. The infrastructure in the 2 districts have been seriously decimated with no significant economic development having taken place during the period of the conflict.

Kacoke Madit (KM) was established in 1996 by Acholi people living in the 'Diaspora' in response to the escalation of the N. Uganda conflict. It is a peace initiative dedicated to the restoration of peace to Northern Uganda by peaceful means. It has now grown into a world-wide network of community groups, organisations and peace initiatives working together to end the conflict and to promote reconciliation. The initiative has helped to establish and to build the consensus among Acholi people, other Ugandans and the international community at large, for the conflict to be resolved by peaceful means.

In addition to its peace-making role, KM provides a forum for the development of post war plans and strategies to meet the socioeconomic and development needs of the war-ravaged districts and the rehabilitation of education, health care, communication and other infrastructure.

'Kacoke Madit' is an Acholi phrase, which means "Big Meeting or Big Conference". The name was originally coigned in reference to the first conference organised by KM in 1997.

The Origin of KM

In 1995, Acholi community in North America unsuccessfully lobbied the Uganda North America Association (UNAA) to include the conflict in Northern Uganda on the agenda of their 1995 Convention in Chicago. They therefore held a separate meeting during the Convention at which they agreed to call a meeting involving all members of the Acholi community of North America to discuss the conflict between LRA and the Uganda Government.

The meeting took place the following year during the UNAA convention in Toronto Canada, (August 30 - September 2 1996), under the chairmanship of Dr. Ben Ochora Latigo. It was attended by Dr. Martin Aliker, who was then the Uganda Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation). The meeting produced a 9-point resolution, which was delivered to President Yoweri Museveni by Dr. Aliker. President Museveni did not respond to this initiative, and attempts to get a response were unsuccessful.

It was also proposed in Toronto that an all-Acholi Meeting should be organised in London, United Kingdom. In late 1996, following circulation of the proposal, and widespread consultation, a team of volunteers from the Acholi community in the United Kingdom formed the London Organising Committee. They elected Dr Patrick Oguru Otto as Coordinator, and embarked on the task of organising the first Kacoke Madit (KM).

The first Kacoke Madit (KM97)

The first Kacoke Madit took place in London, United Kingdom on the 5th and 6th April 1997. It was attended by more than 300 delegates from Uganda, the USA, Canada, the UK, Sweden, Germany, Denmark and Kenya. The main objectives of the conference were to raise awareness of the conflict in N. Uganda, to exchange views on the causes and consequences of the conflict and to determine the most viable and practical means of bringing the conflict in Northern Uganda to a speedy end. The Uganda government was represented by the Ministers for State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Martin Aliker and for Northern Uganda, Mr Alphonse Owiny Dollo, while the LRA sent their Secretary for External Affairs and Mobilisation, Dr James Obita and 2 other members of the LRA/M High Command.

The conference produced an eleven-point resolution, which principally called on the Government and the LRA to cease hostilities and to embark upon a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The Second Kacoke Madit (KM98)

KM98 built on the achievements of KM97. It was held between the 17th and 19th July 1998 in London, UK again. In view of the setbacks experienced in implementing the 1997 resolutions, and unsuccessful attempt by the government and the LRA to establish a viable negotiation process in 1997 and 1998, the theme, 'Removing the Obstacles to Peace' was adopted for the conference. The conference was attended by more than 300 delegates from all sectors of the Acholi communities, as well as many non-Ugandan individuals and representatives of Governments and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

KM98 identified the main obstacles to peace and proposals to overcome them, which were encapsulated in the 11-point conference resolution. The conference also re-affirmed the delegates' commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution as stipulated at KM97.

Participation in KM

All Acholi, irrespective of their views regarding the conflict, their religious or political belief, or other differences can participate in KM. KM accommodates the diversity of views and opinions on the conflict, but advocates for the implementation of exclusively peaceful means to ending the conflict. KM has also sought assistance, advice and partnership opportunities with non-Acholis, NGOs and governments, who have been invited them to attend conferences, meetings and to work in partnership.

KM organisational structure

The KM Secretariat
The KM Secretariat, is based in London, United Kingdom. It is headed by a Coordinator, Dr. Patrick Oguru Otto and administered on a day-today basis by Mr Nyeko Caeser Poblicks, the Project Officer. The Secretariat is made up of 7 members.

The International Coordinator, Dr. Ben Ochora Latigo is based in the USA. The Secretariat, is the main coordinating organ for all Kacoke Madit activities, including the coordination of the peace efforts of affiliated and partner peace initiatives and community groups inside and outside Uganda, organising KM conferences and functions and for developing and maintaining contacts with the parties to the conflict and the international community at large.

Regional Coordinators
The Secretariat work in liaison with communities in the USA, Canada, Scandinavia, the rest of Europe, Southern Africa and Uganda, through Regional Coordinators based in the countries and regions.

KM Partners
In Uganda a number of political, religious, cultural and other in-country groups engaged in working for peace and reconciliation operate in voluntary partnership under the auspices of KM. They liaise closely with the Secretariat in their peace activities. The partner groups include:

1. The Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) comprising all Members of Parliament from the conflict area;
2. The Acholi Religious leaders Peace initiatives (ARLPI) - A cross-denominational group working for peace and reconciliation.
3. Acholi Development Association (ADA).
4. Kitgum Peace Initiative (KPI).
5. The Catholic Justice and Peace Committee.

KM Consultative Council (KMCC)
The Chairpersons of the groups affiliated to KM, the International Coordinator and the Regional Coordinators are all members of the KM Consultative Council. The KMCC supports the Secretariat and works with it to develop and implement policies and resolutions. The Secretariat provides periodic reports about its activities and other developments to Acholi communities through the KMCC.

Conflict Resolution Advisory Body
A conflict Resolution Advisory Body, comprising of experts in the fields of conflict resolution and reconciliation from different parts of the world, is to be formed to advise the Secretariat and the Consultative Council.

Kacoke Madit's achievements

Although the desired outcome, the restoration of peace through a negotiated settlement, has not yet been realised, KM has in its relatively short life achieved the following;

• Raised awareness, globally, of the conflict and its consequences, particularly its humanitarian cost, and highlighted the unanimous clamour in Acholi for a peaceful resolution.
• Established and helped to strengthen the consensus in Acholi for the conflict to be ended by peaceful means.
• Stimulated the formation of in-country peace initiatives in Uganda.
• Helped to attract support for the peace effort from governments and NGOs.
• Brought about the first direct contacts between the Uganda government and the LRA/M, since 1994.
• Established a viable partnership for peace in Northern Uganda.
• Drawn focus to the need for local and national reconciliation as prerequisites for lasting peace in Northern Uganda.

The future of KM

KM, is all-inclusive and transcends political, religious, gender, and all other boundaries. It has gained national and international recognition as a viable forum under whose auspices, efforts for peace can be developed.

KM believes that the N. Uganda conflict can only be successfully resolved if there is a comprehensive negotiation process resulting in a peaceful settlement, including a resettlement and reintegration programme and an environment in which reconciliation can take place. KM is committed to working to develop dialogue and to building trust between the parties to the conflict; and between them and the Acholi people into whose midst the ex-combatants must eventually resettle, with the ultimate aim of bringing about direct negotiations between the LRA and the GoU. For such a process to succeed in breaking the cycle of violent conflict in N. Uganda, will require the active participation of Acholi civil society who have borne the brunt of the 13 years of conflict, and will have to shoulder the direct burden of re-integrating ex-combatants.

To achieve this, KM will collaborate with local peace initiatives in Acholi, Acholi communities, NGOs, individuals and the international community at large to end the war and suffering in Northern Uganda.