Mr. Twodong, how about the Iteso, Langi, Karamojong.... are they not in the camps as well? Continue licking Museveni's Behind and you will spend another 10 years in the camps!! How about that.
Matek
Uganda: Letter to My Sweet Motherland Acholi
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New Vision (Kampala)
OPINION
May 11, 2006
Posted to the web May 12, 2006
May 11, 2006
Posted to the web May 12, 2006
Richard Twodong
Kampala
Kampala
I share the pain we have been going through for the last many years. I know, deep inside every Acholi soul, there is a desire to a better life and future out of the IDP camps. It is because of this that I offered myself for an elective position as a mission toward realising that vision.
Unfortunately, political emotions could not allow me victory. To those who made it, congratulations.
Both Amin and Obote did not feel comfortable with the Acholi. And now we have remained in IDP camps because of of Kony.
Consequently, the level of school dropouts is alarmingly high due to the high cost of secondary and university education. Fees in primary schools in urban
areas is too high for poor parents. Poverty and the breakdown in family life have secondary effects. Children wonder about the streets of IDP camps and townships because they have no money to enable them go to school since their parents are poor and helpless.
The rate of HIV/AIDS infections is alarmingly high because of congestion in the camps and a few men take advantage of the night commuters in towns and sleep with the girls in lodges. We depend on World Food Programme for posho and tins of beans.
The Acholi are scattered all over the world; some are in London, Kampala and the other urban areas of Uganda. Those in Kampala suburbs have become street beggars. The jobs we get are for security guards, shamba boys, messengers, shoe shines, car washers and porters.
All the above plus many other problems not mentioned are expected to be solved if Kony stops fighting. The issue here is,
should we keep all other things pending until Kony is out of the bush? Whereas the end to Kony's rebellion is a good motivator to real recovery, I would not wish us to halt many activities until that time.
To the leadership of Acholi:
Please, although you have been elected on political parties, the situation on the ground does not know boundaries of political parties. Let us put our differences aside and focus on a good future for our people.
Many of you fear telling the truth to the population because you fear losing votes. For example, many Acholis want President Museveni out of power so that Kony stops fighting. This is what the people believe but you know that it is impossible to remove Museveni. Please, correct that thinking of the people so that they get necessary assistance from the government.
Be creative. Think of making progress from within
Museveni's government. Your approach of removing him has failed.Change your approach. You might not join NRM, but it would be the most strategic decision at the moment.
Avoid agreeing to actions that will be impossible to achieve. For example, thinking that only the Acholis can remove NRM from leadership. Some of you who support Besigye ought to know that he lost in the west because of his alliance with you, Acholis.
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You may be popular in Acholi but we all have a duty to clean the image of our tribe. Nobert Mao failed in the bid for DP presidency solely because he is an Acholi.
It is time to note that not all those who hate Museveni love Acholi. We are quick to speak our hearts out
to anybody who comes to Acholi and abuses Museveni and NRM, but we do not realise that common hatred of President Museveni does not amount to them honestly feeling concerned about Acholi situation. You only see such people during elections. After polling day you never see them again.
You have managed to make the people believe that not voting for NRM is a message that there are problems in Acholi. I agree that this message had to go. My prayer is that we get to the centre of presenting a solution, not only raising concerns. The government must also know the moods, grievances and aspirations of the people of Acholi.
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