To what extent can traditional practices be used to end conflict in Uganda? This study suggests that the Acholi people of Uganda maintain their sophisticated cultural beliefs about the spirit world and their social order. These shape their perceptions of truth, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, and they would like to use them for conflict resolution. There is a wealth of knowledge inherent in the traditional practices and culture of the Acholi, which offers credible principles for conflict management and harmonious living within the wider global society.
Since independence in 1962, Uganda has witnessed an unbroken cycle of human rights abuses. During this time, the Acholi people in the north have been dominant either as actors or victims. An understanding of the causes and drivers of the conflicts is essential if Uganda is to be able to prevent violence and bring about reconciliation and justice.
The unique importance of the Acholi traditional system of justice is that the perpetrators of atrocities will remain in society even after a peace deal is reached. Unlike the process of the Nuremberg Tribunal, where the victor could walk away after accounts had been settled in ‘judicial’ fashion, the settlement of the Lord’s Rebel Army (LRA) conflict will entail a social future where perpetrators and victims live together.
Social teachings around the traditional concepts have been severely disrupted. There has been a weakening of the authority of the elders in enforcing adherence to local standards. Nevertheless, residents in the internment camps call for the revitalisation of the home-grown traditional practices of their society as opposed to some alien and abstract justice system.
Acholi culture and society are very complex and in a process of constant change. In this context, simplifications are not useful.
- To ignore or discard traditional ways that have been seen to work in the past makes no sense. On the other hand, they cannot provide the cure for all ills.
- The positive potential of traditional rituals and beliefs should be seen as complementary to other approaches.
- The role of traditional leaders and the community ceremonies of reconciliation and other rituals are indispensable mechanisms for trust and confidence building and the enhancement of genuine reconciliation.
Peace and justice will only be achieved in northern Uganda through an inclusive process that involves a wide range of actors embracing victims, bystanders, perpetrators and all other stakeholders.
- The challenge is to understand and use all different approaches in ways that complement each other synergistically, rather than working against each other.
- While impunity should not be possible, the objective of achieving justice should be tempered by considerations of healing the afflicted community.
- Those most affected by the violence should be given a voice in the process by allowing them to use their traditional processes.
- Only a multi-pronged political approach will be able to address the political issues that were responsible for the outbreak of the conflict.
- Such a political approach should build trust and reconciliation, rather than vindictiveness based on some abstract justice.
