Rwot David Onen Acana is the Paramount Chief of the Acholi people of Uganda, and leader of Ker Kwero Acholi. Ker Kwaro Acholi is an organization comprising the 50 traditional leaders of the Acholi people. It was re-constituted in 2000 under Article 246 of the Constitution of Uganda as a legal cultural institution.
Ker Kwaro Acholi dates back to around 1400 AD when the Lwo ethnic group started its migration south
ward through what is now Southern Sudan. By 1912 there were about 50 semiautonomous chiefdoms in Acholi-land. The British colonial administration abolished these in favour of appointed and non-hereditary chiefs. Despite all the political changes which have taken place, the heirs to original chiefs continue to undertake their traditional role in reconciliation and conflict management.
Since their reinstallation in 2000, the 50 traditional leaders together with their elders, women and youth leaders have set up the Acholi Traditional Leaders Council which is now the highest governing council of the institution. The role of Ker Kwaro Acholi includes being a community focal point in conflict resolution at the family, clan, interclan, inter-ethnic levels and responsible for traditional conflict management mechanisms. They conduct welcoming and cleansing ceremonies for persons formerly abducted by LRA. They work closely with government agencies and civil society on other peace and reconciliation initiatives, and on a wide range of development issues.
He will be available On Wednesday, July 11, in
USA and
Resolve
Uganda will be hosting his visit to
Washington, DC , USA.
This is a rare trip abroad for the Paramount Chief, who is playing a key role in ongoing negotiations to end northern
Uganda's twenty-one year war. Chief Acana's visit comes on the heels of a recent breakthrough in the negotiations, as the rebel Lord's Resistance Army and Government of Uganda came to an agreement last week on how to address past war crimes.
The landmark agreement paved the way for the creation of a transitional justice structure that will utilize a hybrid of traditional justice processes – led by Chief Acana – and formal justice measures. Negotiators hope that this agreement sets the groundwork for revoking outstanding warrants of arrest for four rebel leaders from the International Criminal Court.
The Paramount Chief's travel will also take him to
London,
Geneva,
New York,
Toronto and
Ottawa, where he will continue to carry a message of hope for a peaceful resolution to international leaders. Northern Ugandans are now looking for international leaders to work with them to support the development and sustainability of a national judicial process that will provide a viable alternative to the International Criminal Court.
"We are thrilled and honored to have Paramount Chief Acana here in the nation's capital," said Resolve
Uganda's Executive Director Michael Poffenberger. "His presence and intercession on behalf of the Acholi people puts a human face on both the tragedy of this long war and the enduring hope for peace. His people have suffered the consequences of this war for more than twenty years."
While the Paramount Chief will be in
Washington D.C. for only one day, Resolve
Uganda has set aside some time for media interviews during the visit. Chief Acana is confirmed to meet with top
U.S. officials at the National Security Council and the US State Department, including Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
While the primary purpose of Chief Acana's visit is advocating for greater
U.S. involvement in the ongoing negotiations and plans for long-term development, recovery and reconciliation, he welcomes the opportunity to speak to members of the press on any number of topics concerning northern
Uganda and the peace process at large.
Please contact Michael Poffenberger (www.resolveuganda.org ) or call 574-229-1301 to discuss the visit in more detail.
Michael Poffenberger is a co-founder and Executive Director of Resolve Uganda, an emerging grassroots campaign for peace in northern Uganda. Michael previously served as Associate Director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network, and co-founded the Uganda Conflict Action Network. Today Michael Poffenberger is Executive Director of Resolve Uganda, a campaign advancing peace in northern Uganda through public organizing and political advocacy.
Resolve Uganda
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Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 548-2517
Fax: (202) 548-2518
Email: info@resolveuganda.org
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ward through what is now 
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