When politics lost purpose in Acholi

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By Walter Akena

Former US President Harry S. Truman once said, “If you cannot convince them, confuse them.” This tactic of creating confusion rather than offering clarity has unfortunately taken root in Acholi politics.

What was once a region known for principled, issue-based politics has gradually declined into a landscape dominated by opportunism, shallow populism, and personal gain. Politicians today rarely speak to the real needs of the people. Instead, they seek popularity and personal advantage.

I became politically aware in 1996 while in Primary Four. That year, Uganda held its first general election under the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) government. In Gulu Municipality, there was a popular slogan “Cam Atuku bol ki Mao”—translated as eat Atuku’s money but vote for Mao.

This slogan sparked our curiosity and drew us into following the campaigns, as it reflected the intense contest between Betty Bigombe and Norbert Mao.

This election was a contest of ideas—military action versus peaceful resolution. I remember a joint campaign rally at "Nyim Atanga," where, despite not fully understanding the issues, it was clear that Norbert Mao’s message resonated with the crowd, shown by their enthusiastic clapping and ululations. The rallies were eagerly anticipated for their high-quality debates.

While Bigombe had been an avowed proponent of a peaceful settlement to the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, having played a significant mediation role, her candidacy was tainted by her association with President Museveni’s Movement system.

The people of Gulu perceived this affiliation as an implicit endorsement of a government increasingly seen as relying on militarism to solve the conflict. In contrast, Mao symbolised a homegrown alternative—unapologetically committed to peace, justice, and local agency.

The election ushered in a new breed of Acholi leaders, such as Norbert Mao, Reagan Okumu, Zachary Olum, Okello Okello, Owiny Dollo, and Jacob Oulanyah (RIP). They presented a shift from the old leadership style represented by individuals like Charles Alai, Marino George Abola, and Anthony Oryang, who were closely associated with the ruling establishment. The new leaders were welcomed because they focused on peace, justice, and rebuilding the region after years of conflict.

The leaders who emerged after the 1996 election proved true to their promises. They fought for peace and justice, and their efforts culminated in the passage of the Amnesty Act in 2000.

This law allowed members of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) to return home and reintegrate into society, thus encouraging many fighters to abandon the rebellion. Although President Museveni initially resisted this approach, he eventually signed the Amnesty Act, marking a turning point in the war and offering hope for a peaceful future.

They confronted the government’s human rights violations, most notably during the notorious “panda gari” operations. During these operations, soldiers would storm people’s homes, arrest suspected rebel sympathisers, and subject them to brutal, inhumane treatment. These leaders fought tirelessly for the innocent people, demanding their release from military custody and highlighting the grave human rights abuses committed by the state.

As the war came to a close, a new issue emerged—land conflict. With peace came increased interest in Acholi’s fertile land by both state and non-state actors. Areas such as Lakang, Apaa, Aswa Ranch, Lipan, Got Apwoyo, and Laminto became hotspots for land disputes involving the state, for instance.  

A new generation of leaders, such as Odonga Otto, Gilbert Olanya, Anthony Akol, and Michael Lakony, among others, emerged to defend the land. Unfortunately, unlike their predecessors, they failed to fulfil their promises.

Today, the land they vowed to safeguard has either been sold off or grabbed, often with the quiet complicity of the very leaders who promised to defend it. These politicians publicly decry land grabbing while privately acquiring land at the expense of desperate, impoverished landowners. The result is a betrayal of trust, where political offices have become tools for self-enrichment rather than public service.

By 2016, Acholi politics had become largely transactional, with leaders prioritising personal deals in Kampala over constituency issues. In Parliament, Acholi’s legislative impact has diminished significantly—since Norbert Mao, only Leander Komakech has introduced a substantive bill, the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act. The once vibrant Acholi voice in Parliament has since fallen silent.

Today's leaders, more focused on handouts and social appearances than meaningful policy, have reduced politics to tokenism. Lacking vision or ideology, they rely on populism to stay relevant, fueling a legitimacy crisis. Voters, disillusioned, now see elections as opportunities for personal gain. Campaigns have condescended into mudslinging, vulgarity and theatrics, and people are no longer interested because they are dull and boring. This decline in engagement has weakened democratic values and diminished public expectations of leadership.

The effects of this leadership failure are visible. Once a region of pride and productivity, Acholi now ranks among the poorest regions in Uganda—second only to Karamoja. This is a direct result of poor leadership and the neglect of issue-based politics.

What Acholi needs is a political renaissance —a return to the values and convictions that guided the leaders of 1996. The elections of 2026 offers us the crucial opportunity to reject the politics of deception and self-interest and usher in an era of genuine and issue-based leadership.

The path forward is clear. It begins with the people of Acholi reclaiming their voice, dignity and power. The region must once again demand leaders who are committed to service, not self-enrichment. Only through principled leadership can Acholi rise again and reclaim its rightful place in Uganda’s national development.

The writer is a Research Officer at the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)