Email This Page
Print This Page
Visit The Publisher's Site
The Monitor (Kampala)
INTERVIEW April 13, 2004 Posted to the web April 13, 2004
Kintu Nyago Kampala
Although history has many examples of citizens taking up arms to resist injustices inflicted upon them by the political authorities in their countries, it is more intriguing to have a Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) type of insurgency. Intriguing, because I would be hard-pressed to understand the political agenda Joseph Kony, his 'Generals' and benefactors are fighting for.
It is crystal clear to me as to why the Gen. George Washington-led Patriots took up arms to resist British colonialism or as to why the African National Congress formed Umkonto We Sizwe in the early 1960s or the reasons behind Col. John Garang's creation of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army 20 ago. Similarly, as to why the NRM, UFM and FEDEMU formed in the Luweero Traingle, or the UNRF in West Nile. But most sincerely Kony's political agenda is still an enigma for most Ugandans.
Can it be that the LRA is opposed to the Movement political system and as a result are fighting for the restoration of their own version of liberal multiparty democracy? Or is it that they regard as illegitimate this country's much acclaimed 1995 Constitution and are eager to impose their own constitutional order! Strange as it may sound some have argued that the LRA is fighting to impose its own version of a theocracy in Uganda based on the strict adherence of the Ten Commandments that Yahweh handed over to Moses on Mount Zion!
The truth is that without Ugandans getting to know the political agenda of the LRA, the accommodation of their demands through the proposed peace talks, would be most difficult to achieve. And this is the real dilemma facing northern Uganda.
The last ten years have seen numerous opportunities for all Ugandans with political grievances to freely come forward and present them. Initially, with the Odoki Commission followed with the Constituent Assembly deliberations. With the result in this instance of Uganda's emerging with the most consultative constitutional making process in the history of mankind! That process was followed with the electing of the 6th and 7th Parliaments that have literally freely debated all political issues of concern.
In addition, the recent Ssempebwa Commission was also an opportunity for all with political disgruntlement to present their views, which indeed most did.
To my understanding the LRA rebels have degenerated into warlords similar to those in pre-Mao's Communist China or most recently in Sierra Leone. In the latter case the types of the maverick Cpl. Foday Sankoh and his 'General' Bokarey Mosquito! By definition warlords have nothing of substance in the form of a political agenda. They instead thrive on war and its cruel dynamics in addition to the instability this causes. This enables them to access resources.
Furthermore, Joseph Kony and his 'Generals', Vincent Otti, Abudema, Raska Okwiya and others are discerning enough to be aware that they stand little or no chance at all to negotiate for cabinet positions or their becoming commissioners say on the Uganda Human Rights Commission! This resulting out of a combination of their having committed some of the worst war crimes ever, in addition to their extremely humble education backgrounds.
Also the hitherto substantial support and sanctuary they have been receiving from the National Islamic Front regime in Khartoum explains the LRA's previous unwillingness to respond to the countless amnesties they have been granted. This in addition to the peace talk offers they have also been offered ranging from the one brokered by former minister Betty Bigombe and then 4 Division Commander Col.
Relevant Links
East Africa Uganda Conflict, Peace and Security
Samuel Wasswa to the recent high powered delegation chaired by then 1st Deputy Prime Minister, Eriya Kategeya. The challenge this country is faced with regarding this war is how do you engage with warlords of the LRA type in peace talks? Mere talks with a gang without legitimate political demands are destined to lead to mutual frustration and failure.
_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
-------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
