In this edition of National Perspective, we bring the limelight to the silent new war front Northern Uganda’s Acholi Land. While the war that had displaced about 1.7 million people ended over fifty years, researchers find that the region is yet to heal from the effect of the brutal war waged by the LRA rebel group led by Joseph Kony. Today, Acholi land comprising the Districts of Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Kitguum, Lamwo and Pader find themselves in a situation which Ambassador Olara Otunnu describes as an existential situation.
From the breakdown in values based on the previously strong Acholi cultural values, to violent young people who are not afraid to kill, landlessness, many fear that Acholi is losing its moral bearing. We speak to researchers who have extensively looked at the post-war situation in Northern Uganda. For them, it pears like the Northern Uganda crisis deserves national attention.