In a historic meeting that could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Northern Uganda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and opposition leaders from the Acholi sub-region have agreed to set aside their political differences and work together to tackle poverty and drive socio-economic transformation. The meeting, held at State House in Entebbe, brought together leaders from various political parties who pledged to prioritize the development of Acholi over partisan politics. This groundbreaking agreement signals a united front in the fight against poverty, poor infrastructure, and the lingering scars of past conflicts in the region.

The meeting was a rare display of unity in a country often divided by political affiliations. Members of Parliament from the Acholi sub-region, representing different political parties, expressed their commitment to collaborating with the government to improve the lives of their people. This shift towards cooperation comes after years of political tension and division, which many believe have hindered the region’s progress.

President Museveni, reflecting on Uganda’s turbulent history, emphasized the importance of unity for sustainable development. He traced the roots of the country’s political instability back to 1961, when tribal politics and division took precedence over national unity. “The difference between Uganda and Tanzania is that Tanzania started its politics with unity, while Uganda’s politics began with division,” Museveni said. He pointed out that the collapse of the alliance between the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Kabaka Yekka in 1966 further deepened divisions, weakening the army and allowing instability to fester.

The President also dismissed claims that his past ties with Acholi fighters should have automatically led to the region’s development. He explained that sectarianism and bad policies had undermined efforts to build a united and prosperous Uganda. “In 1976, I trained young men, including some from Acholi, in Mozambique. But when we captured Kampala in 1979, some UPC supporters told them, ‘Why are you working with this Munyankore?’ and they abandoned us. That’s how bad policies and sectarianism worked against national unity,” Museveni recalled.

He stressed the importance of reconciliation over revenge, citing the unfair targeting of West Nile people after the collapse of Idi Amin’s regime in 1979. “The focus should have been on reconciliation, not revenge,” he said.

Turning to the present, President Museveni outlined his government’s plans to address poverty and improve access to education and healthcare. He highlighted the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a key strategy for lifting communities out of poverty but acknowledged the challenges of funding larger parishes. “A parish with 20,000 households cannot be transformed with just Shs 100 million. We must rethink how we support these parishes according to their different numbers,” he noted.

On education, the President emphasized the need for affordable and accessible schooling, advocating for the establishment of seed secondary schools in every sub-county. “The only way to provide mass education is through day schools. If we concentrate on building a seed secondary school per sub-county, we can reach more children,” he said. He also pledged to increase capitation grants to strengthen Universal Primary and Secondary Education.

In the healthcare sector, Museveni stressed the importance of preventive measures, including immunization, proper nutrition, and access to clean water. “Curative health is expensive. If we focus on prevention through immunization, clean water, and lifestyle changes, we can eliminate 80% of illnesses,” he said.

The opposition leaders, led by Hon. Okin Ojara, Member of Parliament for Chua West County and a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), presented a memorandum outlining their priorities for the region. They emphasized their commitment to putting aside political differences and working collectively for the betterment of Acholi. “We may belong to different political parties, but our focus is on fighting poverty and driving socio-economic transformation in Acholi,” the leaders stated.

Hon. Ojara revealed that 10 opposition MPs from Acholi have formed a platform dubbed ‘Operation Harmony’ to prioritize the development of their region. “We are 10 leaders from different political shades, but we came together to think, brainstorm, and prioritize the pride and prosperity of our people,” he said. The leaders called for a robust Transitional Justice Framework to address the psychological scars left by past conflicts and proposed the establishment of a Mental Rehabilitation Center in the region.

They also raised concerns about Acholi refugees still living in Zambia, DRC, and Kenya, urging the government to create a mechanism to encourage their return. On infrastructure, the leaders called for the upgrading of Kitgum General Hospital to a Regional Referral Hospital and the rehabilitation of key roads to improve access to services and markets.

Hon. Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, echoed the call for unity among Acholi leaders, emphasizing the need to work hand in hand with the government to tackle underdevelopment in the region. “We come as true leaders, united by a shared ideological vision and a commitment to the welfare of our people,” he said.

The meeting was a significant step towards healing the divisions of the past and building a brighter future for Acholi. By setting aside their differences and focusing on the common goal of development, the leaders have shown that unity is possible even in the face of deep-seated challenges. As President Museveni aptly put it, “The focus should be on reconciliation, not revenge.” With this newfound spirit of cooperation, the people of Acholi can look forward to a future defined by progress, prosperity, and peace.