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RECORD
AND PROCEEDING OF THE RALLY HELD 1. Opening 2. Team Leader,
RDC, JB Ocaya 3. Presentations by team members (a) Youth - He informed the rally that the District Youth Council (DLC) was part of the team as a commitment to peace and supporting the Amnesty Act, 2000 which has a life span of only 6 months. He pointed out that the Joint Forum has decided to do something together. He asked the community whether they wanted fighting to which they unanimously resorted -"NOOOO! No, it's too much. It must stop". When he said the community what they could do. The responded that they will unite among themselves and with their leaders. They appealed for an improved relation with the Sudan. The community said they are for peace and ready to forgive. He-concluded with an appeal to the community to communicate the truth about the amnesty. (b) Kitgum Concerned Women Association (KICWA) - The Centre Administrator, Mrs. Mary Tina Obol informed that rally that KICWA was started by a group of women to help the children who escape and or return from the Sudan. They nurse, counsel, look for their parents/family members and re-integrate them accordingly. The women work voluntarily, but are committed to assist the children. She pointed out that these children did not choose to be what they are now, but were abducted and called for their acceptance in the communities. She called for teamwork, appealed to any of the children who might be around to accept the amnesty and to the women to take the lead. (c) Elder, Mzee M. Opoka - He informed the rally that he participated in receiving the first group of 20 people who were returned from the Sudan on Saturday, 29th January 2000. He appealed to the children in the bush to accept the amnesty and for the community to promote it. (d) Acoli Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) - The Programme Co-ordinator, Mr. Lam Oryem Cosmas delivered greetings from the Acoli Religious leaders. He informed the meeting that the Religious Leaders have united and have been advocating for a negotiated settlement to the current conflict and that the amnesty law is one of the institutional instruments that can contribute towards transforming the conflict. He further pointed out that the Amnesty law on its own will not bring peace, but if supported by us all including our children, now in arms, will contribute to building peace in our land. He appealed to the community that for the amnesty to be effective, we should develop a spirit and culture of peace and forgive the wrongs in our families and communities. He then read the following message: "We have lived in this conflict situation for a long period, many people have died and some have been disabled, homesteads, schools, health centres and facilities have been destroyed The rehabilitation and re-construction of our communities is one of the ways we can build peace in our land Peace is trust and good relations among people, it comes from our hearts. Therefore, what come out of our hearts should be words of healing words of encouragement, words of love and unity. Our words and actions should bring unity, develop trust and promote harmony Building peace is the responsibility of each one of us, let us all do our part. We, therefore, call upon the entire Acoli 2 community, all the citizens of Uganda to be united in love, because peace is love and good relationship among us" "Let's open
our hearts and minds and speak the truth among ourselves, especially
to our children who have been separated from us, as a result of the
conflict. Let's receive them without revenge and or making statements
that are not healing. Let us all reconcile and begin a new sife. Beginning
a new lfe requires preparation, but most importantly it requires that
each of us humbles him/herself; speak the truth, have mercy,
be just and promote good relationship, harmony and order (peace)
(Pslam.85: 10). If in this conflict you done something wrong,
it's human repent of it. God our creator does not want a sinner to die,
but that a sinner must live and attain new life. And if anybody has
wrong you, killed your child/parent/relative, do not revenge or think
of revenge. From time immemorial, the A cdli people do not pay death
with death, because paying death with death remains death. Our cultural
tradition, which is a great gift from is that, death should be paidfor
with life. So, for all that has happened during these years,
let's ask for forgiveness/mercy and accept it - Amnesty. (e) Secretary for Finance, Mark Okeny - He reiterated the purpose of the rally as the Amnesty Act and for peace. He pointed out that for the last 13 years, the Acoli community has lost a lot with hardships especially in the camps. He appealed to the children in the bush to embrace the Amnesty. (f) Deputy Speaker, Mr. Justine Ocan - He informed the rally that he lost two brothers on the road to Lira, but that he was ready to forgive those who are responsible. He invited the community to join with him in the spirit of forgive to accept and promote the Amnesty Law as an instrument of peace. He noted that peace is not just the absence of war, but good health, food, schools... etc and appealed to the community to unite for peace. He noted that the task of building peace is for us all and not only the army or district authorities/leaders. He prayed that the year 2000 should become a turning point for us in Acoli. (g) Vice Chairperson, DLC, Mr. E. V. Komakec - He informed the rally that there was the Presidential Amnesty in 1987/8 and now the Parliament has enacted the Amnesty Law. So, the goal of KJFP is move to all the sub-counties to make this law know to all. He also pointed out that the District Council all along advocated for a blanket amnesty, which has been granted. He then appealed for support for the law. (h) Team Leader, RDC, J.B. Ocaya - He started by pointing out that the most important thing on earth is ljfe, and this war has destroyed lives. He informed the rally that the President has responded to the challenge given to him on the need for dialogue to end this war and has now accended on the Amnesty Law. The life span of the law is 6 months. He presented, explained and later distributed the leaflets which summarises the Amnesty Law and its implementation. He encouraged the public to endeavour to distribute the leaflets, especially to make it reach the children in the bush. He pointed out that the government would soon appoint the Amnesty Commission to monitor the implementation of the law. 4. Comments/Questions/Observations from the public
Team Members 1. Mr. J.B. Ocaya,
RDC - Team Leader |
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