On 15 June 2003, the once
peaceful community of Obalanga in the newly created district of Kapelebyong in
the greater Northern Uganda came under the attack of rebels of the Lord’s Resistance
Army (LRA). This began months long of
rebel activity in the area of Obalanga and the environs of Teso in which the
people were held under siege as the rebels, killed, looted and abducted people
at will. Within a short period of time, hundreds of people were killed, and
relatives and community members had little choice but to bury their loved ones
numbering up to 365 in a mass grave.
Each year, on 15 June the
anniversary of the first attack, residents of Teso converge at Obalanga
Sub-County at the site of the mass grave to commemorate the day in the form of
prayers. FJDI over the past years has not only supported the community in
aspects of advocacy and documentation of their war narratives, but has also
joined them in the memorialization of the day. This year’s event was attended
by community elders, relatives of victims, survivors, local government
officials, representatives of NGOs and CSOs.
The ceremony included a
prayer service animated by the Church of Uganda, speeches by the local
organising committee, testimonies from the survivors and also remarks from
representatives of the local government and supporting NGOs. The general
message was one of forgiveness, unity and hope. Furthermore, students from
schools within Kapelebyong district performed songs and poems on themes that
centred on keeping alive the memories of the sad events, love, hope and a
better future.
Speaking to Achila Simon a
member of the local organising committee, he said that the commemoration of
this day was very important in that it does not only allow them to remember and
pray for their loved ones but also helps foster unity within the community. He
furthered that the sermons and speeches delivered also help to pacify and give
hope to the survivors and relatives of the departed.
Amoding Betty a survivor and
widow whose husband lost his life in the hands of the LRA lamented on the pain,
sorrow and trauma she has been suffering over the years. She indicated the
memorial service not only enables her to pray for her husband but also enables her
to recognise that she is not alone in her sorrow, which gives her strength and
hope.
The FJDI team also took
the opportunity to interact with survivors to seek their opinion on holding a
unilateral memorial service throughout the greater northern Uganda as opposed
to different communities holding it at different places at different times.
FJDI continues to be committed in its objectives of advocating for appropriate
policies on democracy, governance, justice and development, the promotion of
social economic empowerment for vulnerable individuals, groups and communities and
to conduct research on relevant justice and development issues crucial to
national debates and policies.
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