Cash reward will worsen LRA hostility, leaders say
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Acholi religious and cultural leaders say the US bounty will fuel more LRA hostility and put the lives of children still in captivity, at risk.
The cash reward offered by the US government for the arrest of LRA leader Joseph Kony will make him more aggressive, leaders in Acholi sub-region have said.
The leaders say scores of children are still under LRA captivity and the Shs13 billion cash award for Kony and his two commanders will just make the situation worse.
The comments come days after US President Barack Obama offered the bounty on the rebel leaders who are wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative, an interfaith organisation (ARLPI), the leaders said the money should instead be used to fund the Peace Recovery and Development Plan whose funds were swindled by officials from the Prime Minister’s office.
The ARLPI vice chairperson, Sheik Musa Khalil, who was part of the 2006 Juba Peace delegation, said the cash will likely make Kony think that some of his men are ready to betray him.
“Top commanders who will disobey Kony’s order will definitely lose their lives because the LRA boss will view their disobedience as a sign of betrayal.”
The prime minister of Acholi cultural institution, Mr Kenneth Oketta, said everybody whom Kony will come across will be killed.
“Children still in the captivity will lose hope of returning home,” Mr Oketta said.
He said the cultural institution has always been advocating for a peaceful solution to the LRA war that lasted more than two decades and saw thousands killed, displaced and maimed in Acholi, Lango, Teso, West Nile and eastern DR Congo.
Religious groups and Acholi culture institution have for long been opposed to military solutions to the LRA problem.
“Despite numerous attempts at resolving this dispute, to date, these measures have not only failed to result in the hope for peace, but led instead to the broadening of the conflict to neighboring countries,” Mr Oketta added.
Ms Rosalba Oywaa, the director of Peoples Voice for Peace and a social commentator, said the financial incentive, would only spark more violence in the areas where Kony has put his bases.
“Kony will fight ruthlessly, because he knows he can die any time,” she said.
Gulu Archdiocese Bishop John Baptist Odama said military offensive against the LRA, whose leader is believed to be in Sudan, could cost Uganda more resources and lives.
Bishop Odama in 2010 sought the revival of the failed 2006 Juba Peace Talks to end the LRA rebellion.
In September 2012, ARLPI visited Bangui in Central African Republic to try to secure the release of children who were reported to be in the hands of local militias.
Some of the children were reportedly captured during exchange of gun-fire between the LRA and the local militias.
Reported by James Owich, Cissy Makumbi & Sam Lawino
