In a historic meeting at State House, Entebbe, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and opposition leaders from the Acholi sub-region set aside their political differences to forge a united front aimed at tackling poverty and driving socio-economic transformation in the region. This gathering marked a significant step toward reconciliation and development, with leaders from various political affiliations committing to work together for the betterment of Acholi.

President Museveni opened the meeting by reflecting on Uganda’s tumultuous history, emphasizing the importance of unity and a shared vision for sustainable development. He traced the roots of the country’s political instability back to 1961, criticizing the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) for prioritizing tribal politics over national unity.

“The difference between Uganda and Tanzania is that Tanzania began its politics with unity, while Uganda’s politics started with division. In 1961, UPC misled Mengo by promising them federalism instead of advocating for a united Uganda,” President Museveni stated.

He highlighted how the collapse of the alliance between UPC and Kabaka Yekka in 1966 deepened divisions, weakened the army, and allowed instability to flourish. The President also dismissed claims that his past ties with Acholi fighters should have automatically led to the region’s development, attributing setbacks to sectarianism.

“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 detrimental policies and sectarianism worked against national unity,” he explained.

President Museveni stressed the importance of unity over revenge, recalling how the fall of Idi Amin’s regime in 1979 led to the unfair targeting of people from West Nile, forcing over half a million into exile. “The focus should therefore have been on reconciliation, not revenge,” he said.

Turning to development, President Museveni reiterated his government’s commitment to addressing poverty through the Parish Development Model (PDM) but acknowledged the challenge 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 varying sizes,” he noted.

He emphasized the importance of affordable and accessible education, 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 focus on building a seed secondary school in each sub-county, we can reach more children,” he stated. Additionally, he highlighted the need for preventive healthcare measures, including immunization, proper nutrition, and access to clean water, to reduce the burden of curative health.

Reflecting on the sacrifices made to build a strong national defense, President Museveni noted that soldiers were paid very little or nothing during the struggle to secure the country. He urged Acholi leaders to guide the youth toward unity and hard work, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset.

The opposition leaders, led by Hon. Okin Ojara, the Member of Parliament for Chua West County and a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), submitted a memorandum that expresses their commitment to setting aside political differences 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 ten opposition MPs from Acholi have formed a platform called ‘Operation Harmony’ to prioritize the region’s development. “We are ten leaders from various political backgrounds, but we have come together to think, brainstorm, and prioritize the pride and prosperity of our people,” Hon. Ojara said.

“We asked ourselves difficult questions: Why are we in opposition? Should we remain in opposition while our people continue to suffer? How long should we stay in opposition when Acholi is one of the poorest regions in the country? Are we leading our people to poverty or prosperity?” he wondered. He explained that these reflections led them to the realization that they needed to engage directly with the government.

“We decided to compile our ideas into this memorandum and present it to you, Your Excellency, because we want to collaborate with you on the socio-economic transformation of Acholi,” Hon. Ojara stated.

Regarding Transitional Justice and Mental Health, the leaders emphasized the need for a robust Transitional Justice Framework to address the psychological scars left by past conflicts. “The conflict disturbed the mental well-being of our people. A recent survey revealed high levels of mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorders in Acholi. Some children are even suffering from nodding disease,” Hon. Ojara noted.

They proposed establishing a Mental Rehabilitation Center in the region, suggesting that the dilapidated facility at Gulu Regional Hospital should be urgently renovated. The MPs also called for transparency in the ongoing war compensation process. “We need clarity on who has been compensated, how much has been spent, and how long this process will take. If necessary, a new framework should be introduced to ensure fair and timely compensation,” he said.

Additionally, they raised concerns about Acholi refugees still residing in Zambia, the DRC, and Kenya, even as the region hosts refugees from South Sudan. “We propose creating a mechanism to engage these refugees, inform them about the peace and stability we now have, and encourage their return home,” Hon. Ojara added.

The memorandum emphasized the need to upgrade Kitgum General Hospital to a Regional Referral Hospital and to establish new hospitals in the Omoro and Amuru districts. Additionally, it called for the rehabilitation of key roads to enhance access to services and markets.

The MPs stressed the importance of implementing “Musevenomics,” the President’s strategy aimed at boosting productivity by focusing on the factors of production, knowledge, and markets. Hon. Ojara elaborated, “We discussed how to apply ‘Musevenomics’ in Acholi, integrating it with the Four Acre Model to promote commercial farming. Our focus will be on perennial crops such as coffee, cocoa, and fruits.”

The leaders praised the work being done at the Gulu Presidential Skilling Hub but requested the establishment of more such centers across the region. “Those who have trained at the Gulu Skilling Hub are now role models for others. We need more centers to empower our youth,” he encouraged.

Hon. Ojara noted that Acholi contains over 600 parishes covering 28,000 square kilometers. However, each parish currently receives a uniform allocation of Shs 100 million under the Parish Development Model (PDM), regardless of size. “Given the vastness of our parishes, we are requesting a special arrangement to increase funding for Acholi’s larger parishes, so that PDM can have a more significant impact,” he urged.

Hon. Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, echoed the call for unity among Acholi leaders, stressing the importance of collaborating with the government to address underdevelopment in the region. He commended the leaders for setting aside political differences for the common good.

“We come as true leaders, united by a shared ideological vision and a commitment to the welfare of our people. One thing we all agree on is the President’s goodwill towards Acholi and his love for Uganda. This has given us the platform to come together, share ideas, and find a way forward,” he said.

Hon. Onek acknowledged the region’s long-standing challenges, including poverty, poor infrastructure, and the scars of past conflicts, but emphasized that division has only deepened these issues. “We recognize that some of the setbacks in Acholi have stemmed from political differences. That’s why we have resolved to work together, regardless of party affiliation, to support the government’s development agenda,” he stated.

The Minister stressed that Acholi must chart a new path focused on unity and progress. “We want Acholi to be different, to move beyond past divisions and focus on tangible solutions for our people. Our goal is to support every effort aimed at transforming the region,” he added.

Hon. Betty Aol Ocan, Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu City and a member of FDC, also called for collective action to combat poverty in Acholi sub-region. Hon. Aol acknowledged the deep-rooted poverty in the region despite the presence of various government programs. She emphasized that political differences should not stand in the way of addressing the pressing issues affecting their people.

“As long as we all put the interests of the Acholi people first, why shouldn’t we work together? We must unite to find lasting solutions for poverty alleviation,” Hon. Aol added.

The meeting, attended by key government officials including Dr. Kenneth Omona, Gen. David Muhoozi, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, and Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja, among others, concluded with a renewed sense of hope and determination. The commitment to unity and collaboration between the government and opposition leaders signals a promising future for Acholi, as both sides work together to address the region’s challenges and drive sustainable development.

This historic agreement underscores the power of unity in overcoming division and paves the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for the people of Acholi and Uganda as a whole.