Tekwaro Lango Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) Eng Dr Michael Odongo-Okune has warned leaders against reckless sectarian utterances that can plunge society into chaos.
This comes as the people of Lango and Uganda, in general, join the rest of the global community to celebrate this year’s International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day (September 21, 2023).
Mr Okune, citing neighbouring Rwanda as an example of a country that went into flames because of sectarian sentiments, says Uganda has made tremendous gains in unity so everyone should not allow it to retrogress.
Without mentioning names, the Paramount Chief enumerated education, trade, marriage and other others, as some of the factors that bind Ugandans more than ever.
“…every weekend we witness fleets of vehicles crisscrossing the different regions for marriage ceremonies, carrying merchandise while our children meet and become great friends in schools, colleges and universities,” Mr Okune remarked.
The former Uganda Road Fund (URF) pioneer Executive Director says such gains should not be taken for granted and asks different leaders to instead consolidate because Ugandans have more in common.
He is also concerned that some people, particularly in Lango believe more in divisionism by using their position to peddle misinformation and disinformation, propaganda and blackmail at others.
The Won Nyaci urged his subjects to go back to the original practice where elders would sit down at a round table to deliberate over conflicts and seek solutions without physical fights.
Without mentioning names, Okune said he regrets the fact that the Lango sub-region is currently engaged in all sorts of fights and that even the religious institutions that once acted as community shock absorbers are embroiled in leadership wrangles.
“…like the rainbow has many different colours, this day should serve as another loud and clear reminder that we should focus more on issues that bring us together than those that tear us apart,” he stressed.
Conclusively, he called the leaders to use their various platforms like the places of worship (churches and mosques) plus the crowds to preach peaceful coexistence and tolerance.
The International World Peace Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 and after 20 years the Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.
Since that time, this day has been celebrated by all UN member states and organizations aimed at reducing violence and strengthening the idea of peace both within and among members.
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