On 04th March 1971, the president of Uganda, General Idi Amin Dada, authorised the release for public consumption, a once upon a time Top Secret document meant for ex-president Apollo Milton Obote and the UPC top elites from Lango, to be read on Radio Uganda. The document which was authored by a one Okello-Apello, claiming to be airing the views of the Langi elders, was one of the Top Secret documents that had been confiscated by the Army after the 25th January 1971 military coup d’etat. Here below is the document in detail.
Your Excellency, Dr. A.M. Obote,
Thank the heavens! We wish you the best of luck, and long live our dear son. Lead the people of Uganda with dignity and at the same time as per the norms of the Langi culture. We have taken it upon ourselves to study the different regions and peoples of Uganda with the aim of finding out what the different tribes think and do. We have also got feedback from fellow Langi who work in different regions of Uganda but have now returned back to Lira, on how ready they are to give you advice on how best you can rule Uganda. In its entirety, here below is our advice:
First of all, the Langi were mistreated by the British colonialists and, after the departure of the British after attaining independence, all the tribes of Uganda despised us. We had very few educated Langi which led to all the top government posts being filled by people from other tribes. This made all the Langi to envy other tribes. We are now totally convinced that should you follow to the letter what is stipulated in our document, herewith known as The Lango Development Plan, Lango shall rise and shine and, you shall be able to rule Uganda for at least 50 years!
Fundamental steps to be taken:
- Increase the number of schools in Lango and post in them highly educated teachers, we shall take it upon ourselves to fill the schools with pupils and students every year.
- We must ensure that Langi are made Education Officers in order to equate the number of Acholi Education Officers, or even to supersede them. We must not accept the Acholi to boast that they are cleverer than us, Langi.
- With immediate effect, send Langi students abroad on scholarships. We must ensure that vacancies are reserved for them in key government positions to deter people from other tribes being employed in such positions, such that our sons and daughters get employed immediately upon their return. In the unlikely event, should an Acholi be employed in a key position, then he should not be boss to a Langi.
- Increase the number of industries and factories in Lango in order to boost our economic power. We are well aware that this will cause the other districts to become jealousy of any developments in Lango, but this shall force the other regions to federate with us basing on our strong purchasing power base. The only serious opposition we might face is from the Acholi, especially should the number of industries in their region increase.
- We are aware that there is a considerable number of Acholi in the army, police and Prisons’ forces more than the Langi. We would be grateful if the numbers of Langi were increased to supersede the Acholi, and we request that this be implemented as soon as possible. We foresee with dismay the danger of the Lugbara and Madi joining forces in order to topple your government. We therefore recommend that the following Langi army officers: Arach Metucela, Oboma Ayumu, Ogwang and Elyak, be promoted immediately in order to head the armed forces. Since we do not trust other tribes, Metucela Arach should be promoted to the rank of Major General and, either Oboma or Elyak be made Chief of Staff. With respect to Police, Odongo should be made the Inspector General of Police and Samson Ochan should be made the Commissioner for Prisons. Should these recommendations delay to be implemented, we shall suffer heavily. We therefore make the following proposals in order to implement these recommendations: There is quite a considerable number of Acholi officers in the Police and Prisons forces who have served for quite a long time although they are not well educated. You should promote these not so-intelligent elderly officers but not the young energetic intelligent Acholi. Langi youthful officers should be strategically put to work side by side with these Acholi elderly officers so that with time you weed out the Acholi and replace them with the Langi youthful officers. The good in keeping the elderly Acholi officers is that they despise any advice from the youthful Acholi that could lead them to get ideas of toppling your government. We should be wary of Idi Amin despite his being semi-illiterate because he can easily join hands with intelligent Lugbara who can plan to topple your government. We do not want that Acholi, Anywar, to be head of the Special Branch. This post should be given to a Langi.
- We wish that all recruiting officers in all government departments are Langi. This will give a chance to those Langi who did not get access to education to get access to wealth. Any Indian or foreign national who mistreats a Langi should be expelled from Uganda. The following ministries should be headed by Langi: Planning and Economic Development; Agriculture; Education and; Health. The Acholi should not be given an opportunity to head ministries or even departments that are directly in the line of developing the country.
- Whenever a need arises to carry out a project in Acholi, the same project should also be carried out in Lango, as a must. Should there be any programme to be executed by the Acholi, we must see to it that also Langi officers are involved.
- Send as many Langi officers as possible to work in Acholi, especially as administrators. This shall dupe the villagers in Acholi that we Langi are the best educated. Ensure that the District Commissioner for Acholi district is always a Langi who shall give us a non-compromised report on exactly what the Acholi are up to. This DC should also encourage the fanning of divisions among the Acholi and any progressive Acholi with the intent of uniting East and West Acholi should be earmarked. However, should East Acholi wish to join us, they should be most welcome, in fact should there be any developmental projects to be carried out in Acholi, they should be along the border areas with Lango in order for the Langi to benefit the most.
- Please ensure that many Langi join the ranks of NUYO, as this will dupe the other tribes that its only the Langi who are capable of leading the nation. We should instil this myth in the minds of all the other tribes by ensuring that only Langi are appointed in key administrative posts. This will serve us well since the country is headed for development because then all the other tribes in Uganda shall be made to believe that it is only Langi who are capable of being good leaders and that anything good can only be found in Lango.
- The Langi are quite unhappy about the current boundaries with Acholi. The boundary should have been from Adilang straight to Bobi following the road to Koch and Karuma. This was the wise counsel of Yakobo Adoko. On the side of Teso, Kumam territory should be annexed to Lango, whereas on the side of Karamoja, Lango should stretch up to Labwor.
- We should be secretive on whatever goes on within Lango. All developmental projects in Lango should not be brioadcast on the national Radio or even in the newspapers. People without a strong foundation should not be allowed to work in Lango. At the same time, people who are well conversant with Lango but despise us should also not be allowed to serve in Lango. This should be so in order to avoid the impression that Lango is being developed at a fast rate at the expense of other regions.
- The following departments should be headed by Langi: Public Service Commission; Uganda Development Corporation; Nyanza Textiles; Tororo Cement Works; Uganda Hotels; Kilembe Mines and Uganda National Parks. All this is possible but it seems that there is an element of inferiority complex. Please also note the following:
Ankole: Kahigiriza is incapable of implementing our ideals because of the fear that someone else could take over his position.
Kigezi: Mpambara readily accepts anything put before him on his plate.
Toro: Samson Rusoke is wary of Rwambarali because he thinks that the latter might replace him as the Omuhikiirwa (Prime Minister) of Toro.
Buganda: There is nothing to fear in Buganda, except for that stupid Acholi by the names of Daudi Ochieng, who is not even liked by the Baganda themselves. Even in his own home he is not popular and his relatives loathe him as well, they do not trust him.
Busoga: Nadiope is well aware how he faces eminent opposition from Bamutire and also how he is dislikedby the Basoga in Iganga.
Lango: You are adored by all in lango except for that fool Ben Emor, who tried to make himself popular by means of trying to promote the Union. Emor has been earmarked and all his movements are being monitored.
Acholi: There is nothing to fear in Acholi land, for all the bad elements were taken care of by Peter Oola. The remnants are now located outside the district and, even though they returned; it would be too late because no Acholi could believe what they preached.
Lugbara and Madi: These are hopeless people, there is nothing to fear among them.
- The Scholarships Committee responsible for sending students abroad should be composed of only dedicated Langi. Educating of the Acholi should be put in check; however, there should be no fear for educating the other tribes.
- We wish that all the teachers in Ngeta and Boroboro TTC be strictly Langi. Teachers from other tribes other than Langi who wish to teach in schools and institutions found in Lango should have a good knowledge of the Langi Luo version and English only.
- It is an open secret that there is a privately owned school in Acholi which is aided by the government. This school falls in the same category as those of Jefania Okae and Kejekia Okulu in Lango district. Where is it that these latter two schools in Lango are not aided by the government?
- We do not want to see any Jaluos in Lira or even to see them fishing in Kwibale, Namasale, Acung, Ibuje or any other place in Lango. They should relocate to Acholi or West Nile.
- We hope that you are well aware how the Baganda used to seat on the busts of our grandparents while they drank liquor or brew. This act by the Baganda shall always be remembered by us, the Langi. Up to till today, the Acholi tease us how they used to burn us just like game, when will the Acholi ever be roasted like a game of elephants? At times Akena Adoko tells us that he is the only one capable of dealing with the Acholi.
- We reliably learnt from G.M. Okae that there are two Acholi lecturers in the Makerere University College, why are there no Langi lecturers? Maybe this is the reason why there are also few Langi students in the University College, reason being that they (Langi) are frustrated by the Acholi lecturers. The Langi should be trained as tomorrows leaders since they are to rule Uganda.
Your Excellency,
This is the full report of our investigations from all the regions of Uganda. As per our wish, there should be no elections at all, for what benefit is it to hold general elections today? The general elections we held in the first place was because we wanted to end colonial rule and thus expel the British; now whom do we want to expel to necessitate the holding of general elections? We acknowledge the authority you command owing to your position as President of the Party, a phenomenon that has generated a lot of envy among your fellow UPC inner circle. Should you allow any other person to take over that position, we as Langi shall be subjected to enormous suffering. Increase the ranks of Langi officers within the army, police and prison forces and the commander of the Special Force must be a Langi and not from any other tribe. We do not want an Acholi to head the Special Branch.
Never familiarise yourself with Acholi because they are not to be trusted and can easily poison you. There is no doubt that you are capable of ruling Uganda for 50 years should you collaborate with the great sons of Lango such as Adoko .A. Nekyon, J.M. Okae, Abdallah Anyuru, Joel Wacha-Olwol, Ben Otim-Etura and Yokosafati Engur who is currently overseas. We wish you success, God blessed us to cooperate and work with you, in fact should anyone attempt to do you any harm, we are willing to sacrifice our own lives for you. Long live our son, we are your confidants and this document should only be circulated only among members of our most trusted inner circle.
An addendum to this document contained the following advice.
Our Great Leader, Apollo Milton Obote,
- You should not be deceived by anyone that the Acholi detest Peter Oola. We the Langi, like Oola so much because it is through him that we can undermine the Acholi.
- Never at any give time, allow Alipayo Oloya to be the chairman of Acholi District Council (ADC). We as Langi, protest such a move. Do you best to have the ADC chairmanship elections postponed until such a time when we have got a suitable person to replace Alipayo Oloya.
- Save us from these Acholi, we detest Eria Lakidi’s being in Entebbe and others also from Acholi district.
- Save us from the Acholi, we do not want any Acholi to be a minister of either the Agriculture, or Planning and Economic Development.
- Felix Onama should be made the Secretary General of UPC. We protest John Kakonge’s being given any post in UPC. We detest Otim-Oryem, an Acholi, being the Organiser of the Party.
- Save us from the Acholi, we do not want Wilson Lutara to be in a position where he can gain access to government secrets because he shall then be in a position to pass them over to the Acholi.
- Great leader, a considerable number of Langi should be posted in Acholi landas informants in order to keep us updated on what the Acholi are up to.
- Save us from the Acholi, you gave our land to the Acholi, when shall it be returned to us?
- Your Excellency, with all our hearts we request you to save us from the Acholi. Ensnure that Erinayo Oryema remains the Inspector General of Police until such a time when a suitable Langi replacement is found.
- Your Excellency, you are well aware of how the Acholi disrespect us the Langi, why have you decided to keep mum?
This is all, Your Excellency, that there is to inform you. We shall send you an envoy at a later time. We have nominated you as the Party President and wish you success. Thank the Heavens.
Signed,
Okello-Apello
Lira, Lango
6 June 1968
Anthony Rwaga said,
June 19, 2009 at 9:44 am
Home Column Interview Northern resettlement needs more support –Archbishop Odama
Northern resettlement needs more support –Archbishop Odama
Tuesday, 16 June 2009 22:49 posted By Anthony Rwaga
For the first time in two decades, the Acholi sub-region has experienced about two years of relative peace. With people leaving the camps to resettle in their ancestral homesteads, the challenges of this process is yet another hurdle as John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese explained to The Independent’s Onghwens Kisangala Below are excerpts.
How far true is the suggestion that northern Uganda is returning to stability?
There is some calm in Acholi and Lango. There are no attacks or fear of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) attacks at the moment. People are working harder to return to places where they were before the war. But in this particular situation, it has been a little bit enigmatic in that when they went to the camps, it was like going to the bush. There were no structures in the Internally Displaced People’s camps. They had to make their own habitation in a bushy area. Now they are going back and it is a similar situation, because after over 12 years of being in the camps, they are going to find their mudded and thatched houses not there.
What is the livelihood of the communities like?
It is difficult in those isolated places and it is really a moment for the Local Councils and the traditional chiefs to begin meeting these people and welcome them in the areas where they are. They need guidance and support. Then the necessary support by the organs or agencies that support the displaced in social amenities like schools, health services, food and others need to follow quickly.
There has been difficulty in identifying locations of their original homes, is it not a source of conflict between neighbours over land?
That is one of the common problems. But it’s not insurmountable. The only problem would be if some people came and grabbed the land which was not theirs. That may cause problems. Or if some people deliberately sold others’ land and ran away with the money, it would cause conflict between the original owner and the one who bought it. Some people went and settled without bothering whether this was their original place or not.
Are such cases common?
Oh yes. They often result in violence against one another. Traditional and religious leaders like the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative are involved in arbitration among some of these people especially between clans.
War has not ended because the LRA have not been defeated. What is the people’s level of confidence that they will not go back to the camps?
The people’s fear is that there has been no formal conclusion to the peace talks in Juba. They are also concerned about the war in Congo. Congo is our neighbour and people wish that there is a diplomatic end to the war.
It is clear the challenges to the resettlement are enormous, how much support is needed?
There was the Peace Recovery and Development Plan for northern Uganda (PRDP) which was meant to address this problem but the programme is not clear to the people. Is it going on or stopping, is it suspended, what is it? They are asking. But of the requirements such as infrastructure and all that is needed for bringing people back to resettle, a lot is still lacking especially in the far rural areas.
It’s said that one of the reasons previous recovery programmes for the north have failed is the beneficiaries’ ignorance of what to expect from them and their role. If they are still asking such basic questions about PRDP which is to be launched on July 1 this year, won’t it be the same?
I know that the elite class level of the district councils, and probably some of the lower councils may be having some information. But how it is to the lower people on the grassroots, I don’t know. It is something to be asked. I wish those in charge of these programmes were asked to give accountability to the population who are the beneficiaries and observers of its implementation.
You suggested there should have been conclusive talks with the LRA, are you saying there is need to resume the talks?
No. I would suggest the two parties are brought to the table, then it is them to decide where it starts and ends. But they should also take into account some views of other parties that may not have been part of the peace talks. On top of that, in those talks, the population’s views should be fundamental. They are the greatest stakeholders.
In this conflict, probably the most affected is the young generation who have lost their youth lives. What kind of support do you think they need?
That is actually a problem I see not just for Uganda but a problem for the greater part of humanity, because these people will be encountering other people in their socialisation and so on. It will be a setback for humanity for a number of reasons; trauma has affected this generation because most of them were born in the war, grown in the war and some of them are beginning to have families in the war. This is very dangerous. They need to be given adult education, especially those who missed those opportunities. They need some vocational training up to a level they feel they have acquired skills to support themselves especially in the areas of entrepreneurship, building, carpentry and agriculture. After all, that is part of their right as human beings. I think the world has got the capacity to do that. If Uganda cannot afford, don’t be shy about it, call the help of the international community.
This is coming at a time when leaders from northern Uganda are saying the area is marginalised, what is your view about this?
Well, I would not like to go into discussing political issues, but I want us to see what is happening now. There is abject poverty in that area now, 65 or 67% live below the poverty line. So, it is a matter of correct assessment of the situation and addressing it.