Mbale, (UG):- The Umukuka III of the Bamasaba people, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma and his Acholi counterpart, His Highness David Ocen II, have resolved to utilize the Mato Oput, a traditional reconciliation mechanism, to ensure peace between the Acholi and Bamasaba people.
The Umukuka made these remarks while meeting a delegation from the Acholi community. The delegation was in Bugisu to follow up on a matter in which one Nambale Alex, a Mugisu, is alleged to have unlawfully caused the death of an Acholi man, Godfrey Ocira.
The unfortunate incident occurred in Kapchorwa District about a month ago, where a truck allegedly knocked and killed Godfrey Ocira, who was an employee of Kawacom Coffee Company.
The cultural leader of the Acholi people wrote to his counterpart, the Umukuka of the Bamasaba, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, seeking to resolve the unfortunate incident through traditional reconciliation mechanisms. These mechanisms, popularly used in Acholi culture, aim to address unplanned situations. A high-profile example is the reconciliation process involving Kanyamunyu and the family of Kenneth Akena, where Kanyamunyu unlawfully took the life of Mr. Akena, contrary to the provisions of Article 22 of the Ugandan Constitution and Section 188 of the Penal Code.
Ugandan municipal law criminalizes the unlawful taking of life. If it is established that both mens rea (criminal intent) and actus reus (criminal act) were present during the commission of the offense, the accused faces capital punishment for homicide.
The Mato Oput is a cultural way of resolving conflicts through reconciliation. It primarily involves the accused acknowledging their wrongdoing and making a confession before elders. After the confession, the compensation stage begins. In addition to compensation, the suspect may kneel before the deceased’s family to seek forgiveness. This approach is often used for crimes that were not premeditated.
The Acholi delegation visited Bugisu to apply this long-held Acholi method of conflict resolution in Masabaland. The Umukuka III, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, welcomed the use of traditional methods to resolve conflicts that occur without deliberate intent.
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