All options must be open!!!We are tired of this byarwandas!!
MK
Uganda: Secessionist Thinking Real But Can be Averted
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The Monitor (Kampala)
COLUMN
June 27, 2006
Posted to the web June 27, 2006
June 27, 2006
Posted to the web June 27, 2006
Charles Mwanguhya/Editor's Case Notes
On Tuesday last week, Monitor Publications Ltd, hosted a number of eminent Ugandans to a national dialogue to discuss the country's future. The topics ranged from economic issues to democracy and governance.
One thing stood out of the discussion, Gulu chairman, Norbert Mao's comment that after 20 years of suffering northern Uganda could look towards southern Sudan and thus secede from main Uganda. He argued that the return of peace in southern Sudan and the recent peace effort the government there has embarked on to lure the Lords Resistance Army out of the bush could easily sway the Acholi to look north words if that will assure them of the ever elusive peace.
Like northern Uganda, southern Sudan has been suffering a brutal civil war that lasted at
least four decades, the northern Uganda conflict has lasted half but is still around.
I have no doubt that the entire nation of Uganda is excited about the change of fortunes for the people of Southern Sudan, with peace business is bustling in the towns of Yei, Juba and others.
Private business people from Kampala, Mbarara, Kabale, Masaka, Soroti and Arua alike whose businesses are not doing well on the home front or those who want to expand are looking for new opportunities and south Sudan easily presents that opportunity.
The Uganda government has over the years played a crucial role in achieving the steps that south Sudan has so far reached. But President Museveni still has one major challenge, to offer his own northern Uganda a lasting chance for peace. By giving him a third term in power raising his tally to 20 years, double the time all previous leaders combined had, the nation has
given Museveni a blank cheque to deliver peace to all parts of the country including the north.
Rather than watch as the people of northern Uganda grope for other options, it is incumbent on government to bring the country together, give the people of the north a sense of belonging and nationhood.
The world has watched, as nations are broken apart not because it is the wish of the people but the search for peace, identity and freedom Uganda should not let a section of her people begin thinking in such directions.
The north can be pacified at what ever price and I believe no price is too high to pay for the people of north have already paid too much.
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Talk of a possible secession can be dismissed by the government in Kampala but when a people are pushed against the wall they will think of all options possible including that of secession as two eminent Acholi leaders, the Hon. Norbert Mao and Prof. Ogenga Latigo have hinted.
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