Agency
The Minister of State for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Kenneth Omona, has called for dialogue with Rev. Fr. Justine Eric Uma, the outspoken parish priest of Holy Rosary Catholic Parish in Gulu City, who has emerged as a prominent critic of the government.
Fr. Uma has frequently used his Sunday sermons to critique the National Resistance Movement (NRM)-led government’s policies and the conduct of political leaders in the Acholi Sub-region.
He has been particularly vocal on sensitive issues such as land disputes, the influx of pastoralists, the delayed compensation for war debt claimants, and alleged intimidation of citizens by state actors.
Speaking to religious leaders in Gulu City, Omona acknowledged Fr. Uma’s passion for holding the government accountable but emphasized the need for priests, like other community leaders, to be well-informed about government programs and initiatives.
Omona noted that while Fr. Uma is justified in expressing concerns over perceived government shortcomings, the government may also have valid reasons for its actions.
According to Omona, through the leadership of Gulu Archdiocese, his office is seeking to sit down with Fr. Uma for a dialogue to ensure the two sides understand each other and work for the good of the people of the Acholi Sub-region. However, Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama of Gulu Archdiocese criticized Omona for raising the call for dialogue publicly.
