UGANDA

The Challenges for Reconciliation
TJ MECHANISMS
Despite the strongly voiced need for reconciliation, participants noted that any such
initiatives were unlikely to be successful in the absence of genuine governmental support
and political will. 534 They urged the Government to take a comprehensive and honest
approach in adopting the most adequate mechanisms for solving outstanding issues. 535
Furthermore, participants mentioned various local and regional conflicts that remain
unaddressed. These included tensions between the Madi and Acholi as well as
conflicts between the Pian, Bokora and Matheniko communities in Nakapiripirit and
even with cross-border groups in Kenya and South Sudan. 536 Participants called on the
Government to initiate peace-building activities between the people of Bulambuli and
the Karimojong, 537 while others noted the urgent need for negotiated talks between the
Bamba, Bakonzo, and Batooro. 538 The people of Soroti also declared themselves willing
to reconcile with neighbouring communities such as the Acholi and Karimojong. 539
Avenues to Reconciliation
While reconciliation is believed to be a necessity for peace-building, many Ugandans
see it as only one part of a comprehensive transitional justice framework. Accordingly,
participants expressed their views on a variety of desirable transitional justice
mechanisms. For example, communities called overwhelmingly for traditional justice
approaches because they consider these to most adequately acknowledge conflict
legacies. 540 While acknowledging the need for national reconciliation, many participants
also wanted reconciliation and truth-telling initiatives to take place at the community
level where traditional leaders would be at the core of the process. 541
For many, grassroots leaders are considered better positioned than Government officials
to spur reconciliation between parties on the ground. 542 Participants from western
Uganda regarded the participation of traditional kings as essential in dealing with
the tensions between the Batooro, Bamba, and Basongora at the community-level. 543
Representatives from Arua cited the ‘bending of the spear’ ceremony, which is led by
elders without government intervention, as a key component of reconciliation. 544 Such
local processes should complement and even inspire reconciliation processes at the
regional and national levels. 545
Despite recognising the role that powerful traditional structures historically played
534 Research conducted in Soroti and Hoima Districts
535 Research conducted in Bundibugyo District
536 Research conducted in Adjumani and Nakapiripirit Districts
537 Research conducted in Bulambuli District
538 Research conducted in Bundibugyo District
539 Research conducted in Soroti District
540 Research conducted in Pader District
541 Research conducted in Gulu District
542 Research conducted in Gulu District
543 Research conducted in Kasese District
544 Minutes from northern region discussion at the NRTJ Audit Validation Workshop, 28 August 2012
545 Research conducted in Gulu and Kitgum Districts
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