Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Gulu (Agenzia Fides)- The members of Acholi Religious leaders Peace Initiative ARPLI held a service to commemorate some 6,000 men, women and children brutally murdered at Omot in the northern Ugandan district of Pader three years ago by guerrillas of the Lord’s Resistance Army LRA led by Joseph Kony.
In his address Archbishop John Baptist Odama, archbishop of Gulu and chairman of ARLPI, appealed to Ugandans “not to kill”, underlining that only forgiveness and prayer can cure the evil in man. This is why Archbishop Odama urged Ugandans to develop a spirit of prayer to build confidence and total trust in God.
Among the participants, local MP professor Morris Ogenga Latigo who called on the government to follow the example of ARPLI to restore peace and stability in the Acholi region. Mr Latigo condemned the recent killing of 13 people in the village of Ligiligi urging the guerrillas to disarm.
Formed mainly of Acholi, LRA since 1989 has fought president Yoweri Museveni who seized power in 1986 overthrowing a military junta of mainly Acholi officers who fled to Sudan an formed various groups, one being LRA. LRA ideology is a mixture of Christianity, Islam and traditional African religions. This is why local religious leaders are committed to talking with the guerrilla leaders to reach peace. The LRA is infamous for abducting children to use as child soldiers. It is estimated that 20,000 children were abducted in 20 years of civil war.
On November 30 LRA vice- chief Vincent Otti said the rebel movement was ready for peace talks with Kampala. However Ugandan militia continue raids in southern Sudan where LRA has its bases. Kony’s men attacked villages in southern Sudan and threatened humanitarian workers. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 2/12/2005 righe 37 parole 433)
