Prominent elders from the Acholi sub-region have written to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding the violence inflicted on presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and his supporters.
In a letter dated December 10, authored under Wangoo Heritage Ltd, the elders denounce the violent incidents during a campaign visit in which youthful gangs attacked Kyagulanyi and his campaign agents, sparking chaos in parts of Nwoya, Amuru, and Gulu city.
The group accused some senior members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of “instrumentalising” young people to commit “criminal acts” against citizens exercising their political rights. They stressed that such violence is inconsistent with Acholi values.
“The Acholi are a peace-loving and tolerant people slowly recovering from a long period of armed conflict, whose consequences continue to undermine the development of the sub-region. We, therefore, detest all forms of violence, planned and orchestrated by whomever,” the elders wrote.
They also raised concern about the manipulation of vulnerable youth into political hooliganism, saying the behavior is rooted in the psychological scars left by decades of conflict.
“The delinquent children are a manifestation of the legacy of the long war. They need help from the government in the form of psychosocial support and sustainable livelihoods, rather than being used as instruments of violence,” they added.
The petition bears the signatures of some of the region’s most prominent leaders, including Rt. Rev. Macleod Baker Ochola, retired Bishop of the Northern Uganda Diocese; Rtd. Justice Galdino Okello, vice chairperson of the Board; Prof. Okello Otto; and Betty Aol Ocan, Gulu City Woman MP and former Leader of the Opposition. Copies were also sent to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
They stressed that the violence witnessed in Gulu was not representative of Acholi culture, urging the authorities to investigate and hold accountable those behind the attacks. Addressing the President directly, the elders reminded him of the state’s duty to protect its citizens.
“Mr President, the cardinal responsibility of the state and its forces of coercion is to protect the lives and property of citizens. Is it not ironic that the state security apparatus is instead harming the very citizens they are supposed to protect?” they stated.
The elders demanded a full investigation into the violence, accountability for the masterminds, and compensation for deaths, injuries, and property damage suffered during what they termed “these unfortunate incidents.”
They further urged both President Museveni and the Electoral Commission to ensure equal opportunity and safety for all candidates during the 2026 presidential campaigns, warning that continued violence undermines public trust in the electoral process.
They also called on EC chairperson Simon Byabakama to take responsibility for the escalating violence, or resign. Their petition adds to a growing chorus of voices condemning last week’s clashes between security forces and Kyagulanyi’s campaign team in Gulu.
Ahead of Kyagulanyi’s visit, security had mounted heavy roadblocks at major entry and exit points around the city, backed by large deployments of UPDF soldiers and anti-riot police. Several groups of youths, some wearing NRM yellow, roamed the streets wielding sticks, attacking traders and vandalizing NUP campaign equipment at Awere playground.
Earlier, the Acholi Cultural Institution also issued a statement condemning the violence, warning that the government risks tarnishing its reputation. The institution’s minister of Information, Okello Okuna, urged affected business owners in Gulu to register their losses for onward submission to government. Uganda is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.
One thought that the rest of all the tribal states that make the country of Uganda do not want a Ganda Republican candidate to govern this country. This was made very clear when President Lule 1980 tried to re-establish the proper State of Uganda when it got its independence! The Acholi suffering has all been due to such misogyny. The Acholi youth do not want the electoral process to continue on their territory. They have a right not to go on with it. They seem to be convinced that the government is buying itself to stay put in power for many years and counting. NUP and all the rest seem to be in it for the money so that such a dictatorial governance can continue for many years and counting.
Misogyny is deep hatred/prejudice against women. How does it apply in this context? Typos can be excused must not inappropriate use of words. Thank you.
The one who misused the word is a confused dork who has eventually arrived at the end of the pretense of being what he is definitely not.
This ” tribal states” and “in it for the money ” are just a few of terminologies that have been over-used by all sorts of simpletons on this particular site.
This twit of a brother talks about how Lule was rejected, but does he know what happened thereafter ?
Obote used the Acolis to humiliate and contain Baganda . It took time for Acolis to realize that , and when they did , they toppled their abuser and opened the door wide open for Museveni to come right in and pound them for 21 years. A few of the surviving 21 year catastrophe have surrendered to their people`s abuser one after another.
As if that was not horrible enough ,SS is permanently based in Gulu as a symbolic presence of defeat and the following occupation.
Thank God that Acoli is still blessed by these elders that are wise enough to detect the danger and the consequence of being used
But HELL NO!
How can the IMAGE/REPUTATION of a regime under a self-confessed AUTHOR and MASTER OF VIOLENCE (worse than Amin) be TARNISHED?
In other words, referring to “… tarnishing its reputation” is like whitewashing a TOMB OF ROTTEN BONES.
The Acholi Elders and/or Acholi Cultural Institution must forget the PR (false relation) CRAP. It is unfortunate that, they have even forgotten how in their Memo, Mr. M7 and his brother SS referred to the Acholi people as baboons who shouldn’t be occupying the vast land they are in (Courtesy of Prof. Whittemore in the PRACTICAL MATTER Journal). These guys wanted their New Uganda to stop at the Karuma Bridge (NILE)!
No wonder, he put there Gen Salim Saleh as the Resident Governor of Acholi Sub-Region: to HOODWINK and BRIBE them into submission. This is especially after Hon Kyagulanyi and Buganda, shunned and turned the political table on them during the 2021 General Erection and Tibuhaburwa accused Buganda of Tribalism, over massively voting for Kyagulanyi!
Exactly! The Buganda elders should have done the same too. That is one of the problems Mr. Wine has with his very own people.