In Humanity We Are One, Mending The Broken Hearts

13 August 2023, 6:59 pm

By Emmy Daniel Ojara

The commonest phrase you would hear from all his sermons and address is ‘’The Love for Humanity’’. He would say, ‘’In Humanity We Are One’’, adding, ‘’We are a reflection of our own image.’’

This is Bishop John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop of the Gulu Catholic Diocese, which covers the Acholi sub-region and parts of the Karamoja sub-region.

Bishop Odama has over the years presented himself as the pillar of peace in Acholi land, Northern Uganda, and Uganda at large. His teachings of good deeds towards humanity extend across the African continent and the world, instilling hope among the populace.

He is recognized for his tireless efforts in restoring peace in the war-torn Northern Uganda that underwent nearly two decades of armed insurgencies perpetrated by the Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group led by Joseph Kony.

The Bishop did not just speak from the comfort of his seats but rather took up the mantle to endure the coldness of the night by sleeping in the open compound of Gulu Bus Park with children (night commuters) who fled their homes to seek haven in the cold streets of Gulu Town.

Bishop Odama, now in his late 70s was also among the delegates that mediated peace between the government of Uganda and LRA, prompting the return of peace in the Northern Region.

Now Bishop Odama cries for the wary state of the world, the Russian-Ukraine war, the political violence, the Al-Shabaab, teenage pregnancies, domestic violence, gender-based violence, murder, and rights abuses.

‘’When I was in the seminary, our wall/cubicle had a glass. One time I went to bathe, but, on my way back I looked on the wall and saw someone similar to me. I winked at the person and it blinked back. All my actions are the same as his at that time. I got scared for a minute then realized that it was my image.

I had to think for a while about who that person was, but, after some minutes I regained my senses and realized that the person was me in another form.

I must tell you that any other person in this world is a reflection of you, they are just in a different form. Do good unto them for you deserve to be done good unto too.’’ An anecdote Bishop Odama shared with this writer.

Now in the different parts of Lango, West Nile, Acholi, and Karamoja sub-regions, numerous cases of murder, violence, rights abuses, and disunity are being reported daily.

Most victims are women and children.

Some of them are battling critical health conditions which required advanced medical attention, and many cannot afford a good education, majority of them, mainly youth resort to drug abuse and alcohol, yet these are contributors to violent natures, lost hope, and bad health.

However, the world has not lost it all, some few individuals have been able to draw their little resources to help change the world, restore hope, and provide light to the most affected persons.

Among them is, Ignite Change, which is located in Kamdini Town Council, in Oyam district in the Lango Sub-region.  This is an organization situated along the Gulu-Kampala Highway, with a mission to transform society and restore hope among the most vulnerable.

Ignite Change empowers families to achieve a bright and sustainable future by keeping families together, valuing self-sustainability, valuing education as a tool for positive change, and undertaking a holistic approach to community development.

It was a chilly Wednesday when I interacted with Ms. Betty from her office at Ignite Change. Betty is a Case Management Officer at Ignite Change, she seems to be in her late 30`s or early 40`s of age.

She was all smiling as she interacted with me (Emmy Daniel Ojara). I engaged Ms. Betty to understand the positive changes that Ignite Change had created among the community within its areas of operation.

Our engagement started with an introduction which was done by either party. We later had a questions and answers session.

What we discussed was amazing!

Ms. Betty said that they are overwhelmed with the cases of rights abuses mainly perpetrated by men, women, and children are the primary victims.

The various forms of violence include domestic violence, denial of rights to education, sexual abuse, and family disputes.

Asked what they are doing to manage such encounters, Ms. Betty said that they offer protection to children, help survivors receive justice, provide access to better health care like at Mulago in Kampala and Kiwa in Mbale, and also cause the arrest of perpetrators.

Besides using established judicial systems and security organs, Ms. Betty says that they engage in mediation to broker peace through the cultural, religious, and clan leaders among the different stakeholders.

With more than 100 cases of violence against women and children registered in the last few months, Ms. Betty says Ignite Change seeks to create mindset change among the people and advocate for the respect for the rights of everyone.

As it is, we all need a peaceful home. And, with hope in God, we are destined for a brighter and better world.

‘’With Love for Humanity’’.

Emmy Daniel Ojara,

zaagulu@gmail.com

The writer is the Sub News Editor for Speak Fm, and, advocates for humanity.