Acholi Development Association (ADA) and its Role in the in the Quest For Unity, Peace and Development in Acholiland

By Mzee A. K. Banya
(Chairman, Acholi Development Association - ADA) KAMPALA, Uganda

On behalf of Acholi Development Association (ADA) at home in Uganda and my own behalf I would like to take this great opportunity to first of all thank all those individuals and groups who first conceived this wonderful idea and collectively worked tirelessly to make it possible for all of us to be here today.

At this moment in time, I want to inform you that most Acholi, if not all, have come to realise that the Acholi must come together and show their seriousness to over come their problems in the present Uganda by not merely talking but by taking:-

(a) action that unites Acholi wherever they are
(b) action that brings peace to all Acholi where-ever they happen to live in the world
(c) action that promotes development of persons, groups and Acholi sub-region as a whole

I venture to say here and now that this gathering is a clear manifestation of acceptance of this challenge. Next I want to take this same opportunity to bring to you sons and daughters of Acholi greetings from your people at home - the Acholi. Greetings that are mixed with happiness and sorrows. Happiness because, through this gathering, people at home now know and feel that you love and care for them and indeed share their problems. - (Kwot kinywalo anywala). Happiness because, although distant and separated from them, you are alive and safe.

Sorrows from the voices of our people - your relatives. Sorrow because they miss your presence; sorrow because they have lost their dear ones, sorrow because they are displaced, sorrow because they have lost all their properties, sorrow because they have lost all directions, sorrow because they have lost the pride that from time immemorial been their identity, sorrow because they have extreme humility superimposed on them by the circumstances they are in now. They are despondent and have lost all development initiatives because of uncertainty.

However this conference has given rise to new hope. I must at this juncture sound a strong warning that this oasis of hope can only be realised if we take courage and face the facts and realities that confront us in the Uganda of today. These facts and realities are:-

(1) Acholi should realise that Uganda is for all Ugandans and should strive for her fair share in he affairs of the country and avoid confrontation with the government of the day without cause. In his communication to ADA, H. E. the President of the republic of Uganda made it abundantly clear that he Acholi should forget their dreams to take power by physical or military means. They must first acquire the economic power. Power, both economic and military has shifted from North to south and they are determined to retain it for as long as possible.

We must accept this state of affairs now and work hard to develop ourselves until such time that things change themselves. Let us forget the past. I will elaborate as we go along. For the time being , I urge that we should sincerely hold a serious quest for unity and peace. In that respect ADA has brought with it some contributions to make. However before making these contributions permit me first to hasten to give you a brief about ADA itself.
Acholi Development Association (ADA) popularly referred to as "Wang OO", or Tee Tipo is a non political organisation and has no leaning to any particular religious belief, clan, organisation or ideologies. The office bearers are chosen from among Acholi persons of low political profile, proven integrity, high moral standing, able and are prepared to sacrifice their time, resources, have vision and willing to devote their efforts for the sake of serving the community. As such any person holding a position of leadership in it may as a matter of high conscience, resign from that position if he thinks he can no longer exercise his political impartiality at work.. Such resignations however should not lead to him being ostracised.

Why and what has given rise to the formation of this "Wang OO" may be summed up as follows:-

1) The need to have a forum for the Acholi where they can come together to discuss and exchange views freely.

2) The need to have a forum which is recognised and accepted at national, regional and international level as a body committed to bringing and sustaining Peace, Unity and Development. That is why I am with you today.

3) As "Wang OO" it must conform with the Acholi culture and practice and always seek to impart knowledge to our young ones, correct our mistakes and chart out the right way ahead.

4) In keeping with the name it must initiate development but of course first of all ensure that prevalence of unity, and peace in the sub-region as a pre-requisite cornerstone at all times.

5) Provide a cure to the wrangles that have hitherto existed among all political leaders because of their different political beliefs, affiliations or practices.

6) Give guidance to our leaders at different levels on what Acholi stand should be on important local and national issues.

The aims and objectives are varied and various but mainly-

1. Serve as a forum, for the Acholi, in which they discuss and exchange views freely on all factors likely to influence the political, economic, social and cultural destiny of the Acholi and the sub-region.

2. Encourage the formation of programmes that will improve the quality of family life especially the living conditions, general health, nutrition, sanitation safe drinking water and such other moves towards the alleviation of household poverty.

3. Inculcate in the Acholi people the culture and practice of resolution of issues by peaceful means through negotiations and dialogue.

4. Inspire, promote and instil in each person and groups resident in Acholi region and elsewhere the spirit and practice of Unity, Peace, love and strive hard to remove all obstacles to the Development of human person socially, culturally and economically in a united Uganda. However the immediate concern now is the active participation in the process for a speedy restoration of peace. This is because peace is a prerequisite to any other activities like development etc.

In the long term however, with the avowed aims and objectives listed above, ADA will continue to serve as a forum in which the Acholi will discuss and exchange views and form programmes leading to the improvement of quality of family life. Soon after the restoration of peace, programmes for Development will concern the restoration of the socio-economic infrastructures which have been destroyed with the aim to revive the economy of the sub-region. ADA intends to focus its attention and direct its efforts towards need-orientated, demand-driven and will as community based projects with particular emphasis on rural areas where most people live (ie. after returning to their respective areas from the so called - protected villages - where they are currently herded and are experiencing untold sufferings and inhuman treatment) Priority will be given to opening up road net work agriculture, education, health, water supply, widows and orphans, demobilised soldiers and rural trade.

To achieve all this ADA has put m place appropriate sub-committee to prepare suitable proposals identity local expertise, mobilise local labour force for the implementation of the programmes at the opportune time.

Until then ADA will concentrate on the attainment of identified immediate prerequisite i.e.-peace by joining hands with the Government, NGO, local and international organisations and all people of good will to bring a speedy end to the sufferings of your relatives, our people the Acholi.

I promised to put before you ADA contributions towards the quest for peace in Acholi land which is a major concern in this conference. Since its inception, ADA has tried to contribute in the following ways:-

1. Identified the causes of insecurity as:-
a) Attitude of Ugandans towards these Northerners based on atrocities committed during the past regimes
b) Suspicion that exists between the government and the Acholi also based on past mistrust
c) The historical events in southern Sudan and the Acholi connection namely:

From 1888 - Madhist Revolt in the Sudan which forced Ernin Pasha to retreat with Sudanese troops under his command to Kivali in the shore of lake Albert. These troops were in 1893 used by captain F. Laggard to change government in the Buganda Kingdom.

In 1970 field Marshall Idi Amin used Anyanya from southern Sudan to overthrow the government of A. Milton Obote.

In 1985 Brigadier Basilo Okello used the remnants of Amin's soldiers from the same Southern Sudan to remove the government of A. Milton Obote II.

In 1987 Brigadier Basilo Okello again used UNLA and Amin's remnant soldiers from Sudan to start hostilities against NRM.

The current insecurity is also based on the remnants of Uganda soldiers who fled to the Southern Sudan.

(d) Conflicts between the Sudan Government and the Government of the republic of Uganda .

Suggested Solutions

(a) change of attitude of fellow Ugandans towards the northerners which invariably means the Acholi

(b) change of attitude within the Acholi community about the leadership of Uganda. -ie - willingness to accept leadership from any other tribes of Uganda.

(c) talk or dialogue between Acholi and the government of Uganda to eradicate the suspicion that lingers in the minds of both the government and the Acholi

(d) talk or dialogue between the Kony's Lord Resistance Army and the Government of Uganda to establish the reasons for their conflicts.

(e) talk or dialogue between the Government of Uganda and the Sudan Government to repair their broken relationship.

ADA has put these points in a memorandum to H.E the President of Uganda, testified before the Parliamentary Sessional Committee On Defence and Internal Affairs to that effect, written to the Right Honourable Prime minister and also published them in the print and electronic media and now to this gathering.

To you the sons and daughters of Acholi in the LRA we the Acholi people seek your clarification on the following:

(a) why are you abducting your brother and sisters, burning your the houses of your fathers and mothers, rapping your mothers and sisters, maiming innocent people, and destroying all the infrastructure and making live practically impossible to relatives

(b) if these atrocities cannot all be attributed to you then why have you not come out openly and denied them.

(c) it is alleged that you have no cause for being in the bush. Have you at any one time in the eleven years made any attempt to communicate to the Government of Uganda your reasons for being in the bush, if so what was their response, if not what did you do next.

(d) please advice this meeting this time why you are subjecting your relatives to this kind of humiliation to you sons and daughters in Diaspora if you are offering any support to this rebellion as alleged, the message from your fellow Acholi in Acholiland is: Kwot kinywalo anywala. Wun lotino wa dong pi meno wun aye myero ogwok wa.Too dong oromo dano woko. If you are not offering any support to this rebellion then you tell the whole world that the accusations labeled against you are wrong and deny them unequivocally.

We cannot afford to live in the past, let us forge forward and forget the past. This is the beginning of a network of people with common ground co-operating and helping one another towards achieving that goal. keep it going for, as we remain united and organised we shall gain recognition.