Lango Web

By Robert Egwea

The constant bickering by some of our political leaders in Lango are costing the people dearly. Instead of focusing on issues and putting forward concrete proposals to alleviate the suffering of our people, some of our leaders are busy abusing others, blaming the government and scaremongering.

As we get embroiled in petty quarrels, other regions that are equally disadvantaged due to conflict and cattle rustling are reaping all the benefits they can land hands on from the government. They are moving forward at a much faster pace while Lango seems to remain stuck in one place.

Take for example the recent ruling by the High Court in Gulu that victims of conflict in Acholi sub-region should be compensated by government. This was a result of concerted efforts by Acholi leaders to ensure the needs of their people are properly met. Much as they have political differences, Acholi politicians do have a unity of purpose when it comes to development.

Just over a year ago, I stated that political intrigue was ruining Lango and the picture has not changed much today. At that time it was quite obvious that Lango was not benefiting from government donor-funded programmes as much as neighbouring districts.  For example NUSAF had distributed 192,000 animals and birds in restocking exercise to replace those eaten by rebels, the army or rustled by Karmojong raiders. Out of these Lango got only 1,912 heifers compared to Teso 17,178, West Nile 2,700 and Acholi 11,767.

Today, I want to reiterate that our people in Lango too deserve maximum compensation for the cattle and other properties lost during the conflict. However, it does not help to keep heaping blame on the government for the loss as most of our opposition politicians tend to do. Instead, we should be collecting data and relevant information, as some officials in the region have rightfully started doing, and present our case to the government as a team.

Most importantly we should be speaking with one voice, not the voice of abuse and blame, but the voice of genuine concern, concrete proposals and constructive engagement. We should abandon the path of blame and instead recognise and be courteous towards the government in order to secure a more positive response to our concerns. 

The government should not be unfairly held responsible for every loss of cattle in Lango and other regions affected by insurgency over the last couple of decades because our livestock got lost through at least four different channels.

Firstly, even before the NRM came to power, cattle were being constantly raided by the Karamojong. During Obote II government this problem became particularly serious as the Karamojong illegally acquired several guns which they used to raid cattle from neighbouring districts of Lango Teso and Acholi. Cattle raids by the Karamojong continued until recently when the NRM government introduced special battalions and police units in the region to combat the menace.

Secondly, our own Lango people who went to the bush during the early days of NRM rule also massively stole our cattle. They were known as 'Olum Olum'. Reports from reliable sources have it that some of those 'Olum Olums' actually promised to compensate people if they got back to power. That resistance never went far because the Langi rebels actually surrendered, came out of the bush and started leading normal lives. Some of them became active politicians and are leaders to this day.

Thirdly, organised criminals, some of whom were believed to be local people, took advantage of the conflict situation and stole people's cattle and other properties. Many of cattle found their way to markets in Kampala and beyond. Similar thugs are still in existence to this day. Some of them are ex-soldiers or fugitive security personnel but government forces are successfully hunting them down.

Forthly, lots of cattle were raided by LRA rebels. Research has revealed that the LRA raided cattle from as far as Teso, used some for food, but also took several cattle to Sudan and beyond to generate income out of which they bought guns and ammunition.

In order to deprive the rebels of food and source of income, some government troops resorted to the measure of removing some cattle from the conflict zone including Lango. There is an acknowledgement within the ruling NRM that the people of Lango, just like the Acholi and Teso, deserve due care and compensation for the loss incurred during the conflict. 

However, the antagonistic and at times subversive manner in which some of our political leaders have been trying to engage government is not very helpful and must be discouraged.

Finally I would like to call for better relations between opposition and NRM leaders in Lango because we all need each other and are serving the same community. It would make much sense for us to work amicably together for the benefit of our people because people close to the ruling party can be of great help when it comes to presenting people's concerns to the government.  

The writer is Secretary for Research & Political Affairs

NRM UK & Ireland Chapter