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Abstract
Traditional systems of conflict resolution in Uganda perform a number of functions—including reconciliation—and most Ugandans have a common understanding of these ceremonies and their meanings. Responses from Christian leaders vary regarding the appropriateness of such mechanisms. Catholics, joined with less fervor by Anglicans and Orthodox worshippers, support these kinds of practices. Evangelicals (including some Church of Uganda priests, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, Presbyterians, the Africa Inland Church and others), oppose what these practices might represent and note their spiritual overtones. If Ugandan Christian leaders bless the modified use of customary practices it may provide helpful mechanisms for reconciliation.
Notes
1. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Canadian Political Science Association Annual Meeting, May 28, 2009, Ottawa, Canada. Research for this project was carried out with assistance from the United States Institute of Peace (SG‐135‐05F). All interviews and focus groups were conducted by author.
2. Briggs, Uganda, 23.
3. Museveni, Sowing the Mustard Seed, 41.
4. Uganda, 53; Ofcansky, Uganda: Tarnished Pearl of Africa, 55.
5. Abdul Nadduli, LC5 District Chairman, interview with author, November 17, 2004, Luweero Town, Uganda.
6. Hovil and Lomo, Working Paper 11, 4; Hovil and Lomo, Working Paper 15, 6.
7. Quinn, “Tried and True.”
8. Mamdani, Citizen and Subject, 109–110.
9. The British Colonial Office, Report of the Uganda Relationship Committee.
10. Government of Uganda, The Children’s Statute.
11. Quinn, “Accountability and Reconciliation.” These documents are part of a five‐part agreement signed in June 2007 and February 2008, respectively.
12. Quinn, “What of Reconciliation?,” 174–206.
13. Harlacher et al., Traditional Ways of Coping.
14. Finnstrom, Living With Bad Surroundings, 297–299.
15. Government of Uganda and Lord’s Resistance Army/Movement, “Annexure.”
16. Ndrua, “A Christian Study of the African Concept of Authority,” 42–56; also Novelli, Karimojong Traditional Religion, 169–172, 333–340.
17. Finnstrom, Living With Bad Surroundings, 299.
18. Iteso focus group, August 31, 2006, Kampala.
19. Quinn, “Here, Not There.”
20. Waliggo, “On Kitewuliza in Buganda,” 1.
21. Hon. Jus. Patrick Tabaro, High Court Justice, interview, July 14, 2008, Kampala.
22. Government of Uganda and Lord’s Resistance Army/Movement, “Annexure.” Also G. William Katatumba, Enganzi (Prime Minister), Ankole Kingdom, and Chairman, Nkore Cultural Trust, interview, June 24, 2008, Kampala.
23. Confidential interview with Sabiny man studying at Makerere University, November 7, 2004, Kampala.
24. Waliggo, “The Human Right to Peace,” 9.
25. Northern Uganda focus group, August 23, 2006, Kampala.
26. Westerlund, “‘Insiders’ and ‘Outsiders,’” 17.
27. Mbiti, Introduction to African Religion, 11–12.
28. Ibid., 18–19.
29. Rev. Canon Job Bariira Mbukure, retired Bishop, Church of Uganda, interview, October 2, 2008, Kampala.
30. Finnstrom, Living With Bad Surroundings, 270–272; Behrend, Alice Lakwena and the Holy Spirits.
31. LeRoy, La réligion des primitifs, 57–58.
32. Mbiti, Introduction to African Religion, 29.
33. Muslim representatives were also consulted, although this paper focuses solely on responses from Christian leaders.
34. Waliggo, “Making a Church that is Truly African,” 12.
35. Rev. Fr. Dr. John Mary Waliggo, interview, November 9, 2004, Kampala.
36. Ochola, “The Acholi Religious Leaders’ Peace Initiative,” 127–128.
37. Godfrey Onentho, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, interview, September 26, 2008, Nsambya.
38. Ochola, “The Acholi Religious Leaders’ Peace Initiative,” 146.
39. Bakyenga, A Concern for Peace, Unity and Harmony in Uganda, 15.
40. Address of Pope John Paul II to the Ugandan Bishops, September 27, 2003, as cited in Bakyenga, A Concern for Peace, 7.
41. Atta‐Bafoe and Pato, “Proposition 3.”
42. Gifford, African Christianity, 42.
43. Bishop Evans Mukasa Kisekka, Bishop Luweero Diocese, Church of Uganda, interview, September 30, 2008, Luweero Town.
44. Baker Ochola II, “Hope in the Storm.”
45. Mbukure interview.
46. Joshua Kitakule, Inter‐Religious Council of Uganda, interview, September 24, 2008, Kampala.
47. The Metropolitan of Kampala and All Uganda, Jonah Lwanga, Uganda Orthodox Church, interview, September 30, 2008, Namungoona.
48. Lwanga interview.
49. Gifford, African Christianity, 100–102.
50. Ibid., 96.
51. Pastor Jonnes T. Bakimi, Mission for National Reconciliation, interview, November 19, 2004, Kampala.
52. Pastor Franco J. Onaga, Kampala Pentecostal Church, interview, October 1, 2008, Kampala.
53. Pastor Patriot Jonan Kasango, Mission for Reconciliation, interview, November 19, 2004, Kampala.
54. Carson, Christ and Culture Revisited, 80.
55. Pastor Emma Kiwanuka, Dean, Westminster Theological College and Seminary, interview, October 3, 2008, Kajjansi.
56. Hon. Rev. Dr Kefa Sempangi, First Presbyterian Church, interview, November 18, 2004, Kampala.
57. Pastor William Bagambe, Seventh Day Adventist Union of Uganda, interview, September 29, 2008, Kampala.
58. Pastor John L. Wani, President, Seventh Day Adventist Union of Uganda, interview, October 1, 2008, Kampala.
59. Welbourn and Ogot, A Place to Feel at Home, 34–35.
60. Ibid., 83.
61. Ibid., 93–94, 99–100.
62. Wilson Waswa, Africa Inland Church, interview, November 18, 2008, Kampala.
63. The Uganda census provides no measure of religiosity, such as church attendance, to judge the importance of religion to respondents.
64. Magesa, Anatomy of Inculturation, 81.
65. Ssejjoba, “Bukenya Visits Shrine for Third Term.”
66. Quinn, “Here, Not There.” The disconnect is at many levels, but significantly between Bantus in the south and Nilotics in the north.
67. Sister Specioza Kabahuma, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, interview, September 25, 2008, Nsambya.
68. Onentho interview.
69. Mbukure interview.
70. Kitakule interview.
71. Bakimi interview.
72. Khadiagala, “Case Study Two,” 3.
73. Wani interview.
74. Onaga interview.
75. Kiwanuka interview.
76. Sister Specioza Kabahuma, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, interview, November 10, 2004, Nsambya. For example, in Tooro, “after talking [former enemies would] sit together for a meal, eating from the same dish, drinking from the same pot, to signify that now we are together.”
77. Bagambe interview.
78. Wani interview.
79. Onaga interview.
80. Kiwanuka interview.
81. Hayner, Unspeakable Truths, 192.
82. Quinn, The Politics of Acknowledgement.