{UAH} A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA!

End of year greetings from Acholi!

The usual activities of persistence for existence in Acholi is slowly grinding to a halt as the dry season begin to take toll on the land and the people. The sun, heat and dust, is finally here. It is the time to feed on the harvest from the last rain and this time around, the harvest has not been too bad albeit, nothing to write to Buganda about. The dry spell ushers in a different form of activities, that of festivities such as, last funeral rites and weddings. 

Ironically, the heat and dust is also being felt as far as Rwakitura, forcing the NRM apparatchik; a few days ago, to sweep into Gulu town, to play politics. Their aim was to persuade the remnants of Acholi who have refused to recognise the NRM regime as worthy and democratic. These in the minds of the apparatchik, are composed of the Acholi who are beyond their reach, and cannot be administered the usual panacea of intimidation and POMB. But the apparatchik know that, they are in town to celebrate Christmas with the few relatives, who did not only manage to dodge the NRA and LRA bullets but also survived ebola and nodding disease. The hush-hush meeting was to deliver the seed of rapprochement, in order to woo those who did not buy Sejjusa's story whilst in his self-imposed exile. Whether the drying soil in Acholi will enable the seed of rapprochement to germinate, is yet to be seen. But a clear pattern is emerging, that of deploying natives like Todwong to hold the watering can and irrigate the drying soil. 

The NRM apparachik has a lot to worry about. The recent victory of Lucy Akello, the coalition candidate in the Amuru by-election, which left the NRM holding empty sacks of money, but no victory, means that something is clearly taking roots in Acholi's dry patch. The dissatisfaction with the NRM, is simply another layer to the mistrust from the days of kandoya and celi i bong. Much as Acholi recently, did decide to the join the party of the enemy they could not defeat, the NRM know in the back of their minds, that some still have an axe to grind. So, every effort is being made to see to it that all fall in line, particularly, those out of reach and not persuaded by a Sejussa's theatricals. The preliminary feedback and consensus from the meeting clearly, tells that more needs to be done. 

Words from the south, has it that the NRM has also found out that, despite the arid nature of the place, another type of shoot is taking roots. That of federalism. It is spreading, and spreading fast. An alien to the area, the federal shoot seem to be taking hold. This, more than any, is the cause of worry in and around Rwakitura and the state house. While federalism has always been thought of as a Buganda issue, people in Acholi are beginning to run away with it and in 2016 elections, if it ever takes place, there will seen bold moves by Acholi voters, rallying behind federalist candidates. This is not politics as usual and it is causing many to ponder day and night!

Leaving politics to one side; life in Acholi, from the neck to the toe, as the year drowns, has not particularly, been spectacular. There were cases of insecurity, land wrangles, mass poverty and abuse of alcohol. The youth, being idol, have resorted to the work of the devil,that of self destruction and carelessness. The lack of support from the NRM government interms of development, has only exacerbated the problem. However, there is a changing skyline of towns in Acholi. Gulu in particular, is looking upbeat, with new buildings, shops and clubs for night owls, erected and opened up for business. With improving situation in NoSud, the coming year could see Acholi prosper even more and this will further, embolden the resolve for Loc-Ken or federalism. What the NRM and water can holders like Todwong are going to do, will very much determine the way ahead. My hunch is that the NRM will continue throwing wool and with it, the use of intimidation. But truth be said, their armoury is continually looking as dry and arid, as the Acholi patch. Whether it's climate change, the answer will surely be known, come 2016. 

I end by wishing Buganda and the rest of Ugandans a merry X-mas and prosperous new year. I hope to keep you posted with development in Acholi politics and economics, when the rains return. May the new year bring you all joy and prosperity.

Akim Odong    

   

Tolerance is a stage in civilisation!

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