Peace After Kony

In the aftermath of the Lord Resistance Army's last attack in northern Uganda, a resilient population has embarked on a decade-long journey towards peacebuilding. Despite the absence of a formal agreement, communities are striving to reconstruct their society based on Acholi traditions and values. Through a combination of ordinary and traditional justice practices, such as mato oput, which emphasizes forgiveness and compensation, various stakeholders including traditional leaders, students, women's associations, and research centers are actively engaged in reconciliation efforts.

The conflict, which erupted with Yoweri Museveni's rise to power in 1986, saw Joseph Kony's Lord Resistance Army perpetrate widespread terror and violence against civilians. With millions forcibly displaced and thousands abducted, the scars of war run deep. Yet, in the absence of a definitive peace accord, the Acholi people have turned to their customary methods of conflict resolution. Led by traditional leaders, communities engage in negotiations to seek forgiveness, offer compensation, and facilitate reconciliation among victims. This grassroots approach not only addresses the immediate aftermath of the conflict but also aims to educate future generations about the perils of war and the importance of forgiveness in building a sustainable peace.

Kitgum, Uganda. 2019.

Story done along with Victor González

The 'rwot' Poppy Paul, is a lider of his community. He participated in the Juba Peace Talks. Today he leads the ceremonies of the 'mato oput' a form of traditional justice. - Paula González Gavilanes
The 'rwot' Poppy Paul, is a lider of his community. He participated in the Juba Peace Talks.
Today he leads the ceremonies of the 'mato oput' a form of traditional justice.
Research and historical memory are cornerstones for peace. In the archives of the Refugee Law Project (RLP), all the articles published in newspapers at the time about the conflict, are stored and available for consultation. - Paula González Gavilanes
Research and historical memory are cornerstones for peace. In the archives of the Refugee Law Project (RLP), all the articles published in newspapers at the time about the conflict, are stored and available for consultation.
This Church near Kitgum, suffered an attack by the Lord's Resistance Army. It’s frontyard is now the playground of the elementary school that has been built next to it. - Paula González Gavilanes
This Church near Kitgum, suffered an attack by the Lord's Resistance Army.
It’s frontyard is now the playground of the elementary school that has been built next to it.
Komagum Deo, is a journalist and anthropologist working with the RLP. He stares at the tree sitting on a monument meant to honor the deads. It was donated by a western charity and is now abandoned. - Paula González Gavilanes
Komagum Deo, is a journalist and anthropologist working with the RLP. He stares at the tree sitting on a monument meant to honor the deads. It was donated by a western charity and is now abandoned.
In the Acholi culture, 'kituba' trees are planted to remember the dead. The one in the photographs remembers a massacre that took place on site. Monuments or memorial buildings are not used. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the Acholi culture, 'kituba' trees are planted to remember the dead. The one in the photographs remembers a massacre that took place on site. Monuments or memorial buildings are not used.
Janani Daramoi Luwum, from Mucwini village, is the representative of his clan. In 2002, 56 of his clan members were murdered by the Lord's Resistance Army. They ask the government for financial compensation and reparation from the alleged culprits. - Paula González Gavilanes
Janani Daramoi Luwum, from Mucwini village, is the representative of his clan. In 2002, 56 of his clan members were murdered by the Lord's Resistance Army.
They ask the government for financial compensation and reparation from the alleged culprits.
Olanya Ford is the leader of the Victims of Mucwini Association. His clan was blamed for the massacre by the LRA in 2002 and they were displaced from their lands. They asked for forgiveness on behalf of everyone and to be able to return and reconcile once and for all. - Paula González Gavilanes
Olanya Ford is the leader of the Victims of Mucwini Association. His clan was blamed for the massacre by the LRA in 2002 and they were displaced from their lands. They asked for forgiveness on behalf of everyone and to be able to return and reconcile once and for all.
Women leaders in the community, care for a small memorial museum. During the armed conflict, women suffered sexual violence by the different armed groups. However, they still led the dialogue against weapons. - Paula González Gavilanes
Women leaders in the community, care for a small memorial museum. During the armed conflict, women suffered sexual violence by the different armed groups. However, they still led the dialogue against weapons.
The fabrication of traditional Acholi handicrafts declined during the conflict. Now, for those who have returned to the craft, have found in it a form of empowerment, while recuperating their heritage. - Paula González Gavilanes
The fabrication of traditional Acholi handicrafts declined during the conflict. Now, for those who have returned to the craft, have found in it a form of empowerment, while recuperating their heritage.
Jackie Akello directs the Acholi Culture Women’s Group in Kitgum, which provides a safe environment where women victims can recover and reintegrate into society through the manufacture of traditional crafts. - Paula González Gavilanes
Jackie Akello directs the Acholi Culture Women’s Group in Kitgum, which provides a safe environment where women victims can recover and reintegrate into society through the manufacture of traditional crafts.
This bridge was a contested location during the war, since it is a major entry point to Kitgum, a city where thousands of people affected by the armed conflict took refuge. - Paula González Gavilanes
This bridge was a contested location during the war, since it is a major entry point to Kitgum,
a city where thousands of people affected by the armed conflict took refuge.
Young people between the ages of twenty and thirty are the last ones to have grown up in the conflict and lived the transition to peace. It’s ractive roll is essential to build a society with a lasting peace. - Paula González Gavilanes
Young people between the ages of twenty and thirty are the last ones to have grown up in the conflict and lived the transition to peace. It’s ractive roll is essential to build a society with a lasting peace.
The 'rwot' Poppy Paul, is a lider of his community. He participated in the Juba Peace Talks. Today he leads the ceremonies of the 'mato oput' a form of traditional justice. - Paula González Gavilanes
Research and historical memory are cornerstones for peace. In the archives of the Refugee Law Project (RLP), all the articles published in newspapers at the time about the conflict, are stored and available for consultation. - Paula González Gavilanes
This Church near Kitgum, suffered an attack by the Lord's Resistance Army. It’s frontyard is now the playground of the elementary school that has been built next to it. - Paula González Gavilanes
Komagum Deo, is a journalist and anthropologist working with the RLP. He stares at the tree sitting on a monument meant to honor the deads. It was donated by a western charity and is now abandoned. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the Acholi culture, 'kituba' trees are planted to remember the dead. The one in the photographs remembers a massacre that took place on site. Monuments or memorial buildings are not used. - Paula González Gavilanes
Janani Daramoi Luwum, from Mucwini village, is the representative of his clan. In 2002, 56 of his clan members were murdered by the Lord's Resistance Army. They ask the government for financial compensation and reparation from the alleged culprits. - Paula González Gavilanes
Olanya Ford is the leader of the Victims of Mucwini Association. His clan was blamed for the massacre by the LRA in 2002 and they were displaced from their lands. They asked for forgiveness on behalf of everyone and to be able to return and reconcile once and for all. - Paula González Gavilanes
Women leaders in the community, care for a small memorial museum. During the armed conflict, women suffered sexual violence by the different armed groups. However, they still led the dialogue against weapons. - Paula González Gavilanes
The fabrication of traditional Acholi handicrafts declined during the conflict. Now, for those who have returned to the craft, have found in it a form of empowerment, while recuperating their heritage. - Paula González Gavilanes
Jackie Akello directs the Acholi Culture Women’s Group in Kitgum, which provides a safe environment where women victims can recover and reintegrate into society through the manufacture of traditional crafts. - Paula González Gavilanes
This bridge was a contested location during the war, since it is a major entry point to Kitgum, a city where thousands of people affected by the armed conflict took refuge. - Paula González Gavilanes
Young people between the ages of twenty and thirty are the last ones to have grown up in the conflict and lived the transition to peace. It’s ractive roll is essential to build a society with a lasting peace. - Paula González Gavilanes
This article was published in Altaïr Magazine. CLICK HERE to read it. - Paula González Gavilanes
This article was published in Altaïr Magazine. CLICK HERE to read it.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience.