By Watera Atai,
GULU
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Acholi sub-region have called on the government to account for more than 20,000 people who went missing during armed insurgencies in northern Uganda.
The MPs presented a document detailing the plight of Acholi communities affected by conflicts between 1986 and 2006 to the government through General David Muhoozi, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, during a meeting in Gulu City earlier this week.
Leading the push for accountability is Chua West MP PP Okin Ojara, who chairs a committee formed after discussions with government officials. The committee, comprising all opposition MPs from the Acholi sub-region, is demanding a thorough investigation into the disappearances.
“We want the government to take responsibility for identifying those who went missing, understanding the causes of their disappearance, and assessing the long-term impact of these insurgencies on the Acholi people,” said Okin.
The insurgencies, mainly involving the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups, devastated communities in northern Uganda, leaving thousands dead, displaced, or missing. Many families have never received closure regarding the fate of their loved ones.
“There are a lot of people who were born in captivity they do not know where their fathers are, some of them don’t even know their mothers. Up to now, there are people who are crying for their children, over 20,000 children were abducted and they are not accounted for. With this situation all around us as leaders from Acholi sub region, and there are no deliberate progress from the government to solve the problems,” said Hon. Anthony Akol, MP for Kilak North constituency.
The opposition MPs are urging the government to implement comprehensive measures, including truth-seeking initiatives, reparations, and support for affected families. They also seek a formal commitment from the government to acknowledge and address the historical injustices suffered by the Acholi people.
“We are demanding for an accountability process which will definitely look at the entire conflict which occurred from 1986 up to 2006, when the conflict subsided,” said Okin. He defined the accountability process as a transitional justice system and believes that once instituted, the Acholis will be able to understand the causes, impacts and damages of the conflict. He says, the accountability process is a cornerstone to the prepared document.
The Pader district Woman member of parliament, Hon. Santa Okot said they are speaking the voices of the people of Acholi, stating that the submitted document will determine government’s performance in the region.
Government representatives have yet to respond to the demands, but the matter is expected to spark further debate on reconciliation and justice for victims of Uganda’s past conflicts.
