Lopirigo calls for peace and unity among Madi leaders and after elections

The Paramount Chief (Lopirigo) of the Madi Cultural Institution, Opi Suru Simon Baru, has called on leaders and the people of Madi to embrace peace, unity, and reconciliation following the recently concluded elections.

Speaking to leaders and community members, the Lopirigo expressed concern over divisions that emerged during the political season and urged the people to focus on development and coexistence.

“As the Lopirigo of the Madi Cultural Institution, I am concerned about the future of our people, our land, and our unity as the Madi community.

Our people have gone through a long season of political campaigns and elections. Elections are important in a democracy because they give people the opportunity to choose their leaders. Some won, and others lost.

But now that the elections are over, I call upon every Madi son and daughter to leave behind the grievances, bitterness, divisions, and misunderstandings that came with politics.

The time for fighting each other must come to an end, he urged.

“The Madi population is very small compared to many other communities in Uganda. We do not need hatred among ourselves. We do not need divisions,” Lopirigo added.

The cultural leader also called upon all leaders, including elected leaders and civil servants, to work together for the development of Madi land.

“I therefore call upon all leaders both elected and civil servants to come together and work as one people for the development of Madi land.

“The challenges facing us today, especially the issues of Appa and Zoka, require unity, wisdom, and collective responsibility. These are matters that touch the identity, security, environment, and future of our people. They cannot be solved through insults, blame games, or political rivalry.”

On the contested Appa land, the Lopirigo urged residents to remain calm and peaceful as government continues to handle the matter.

“On the issue of Appa, I urge our leaders and communities to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as government and relevant authorities continue to handle the matter. We must avoid actions or statements that can create conflict among brothers and neighbours.”

He further encouraged those who lost elections not to lose hope but continue contributing towards the growth of the community.

“To those who lost elections, I want to tell you this: losing an election does not mean losing your value in society. You are still important to the Madi community. Your ideas, experience, and contribution are still needed for development. I encourage you to support those who were elected so that together we can move our people forward.”

The Paramount Chief emphasised that the Madi Cultural Institution will continue promoting reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among the people.

“As the Madi Cultural Institution, we shall continue promoting peace, dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among our people. Let us speak one language of development. Let us prioritise education, health, agriculture, roads, business, environmental protection, and peaceful coexistence.

The Madi ancestors, he said, built this community through unity and cooperation. “Let us not destroy it through unnecessary conflicts.”

Anyanzo John Ambayo, the LC5-elect, welcomed the message of peace and unity from the cultural institution, saying the Madi community should learn to unite after elections just like other neighbouring communities.

“I want to appreciate the paramount chief for talking about peace and unity today. As the people of Adjumani, Madi at large we need to come together like our brothers in the neighbouring districts of Acholi but one thing I must say here is when elections comes, most times we get divided but remember in other places once elections are done, they will come together and when problem arises, they will talk with one language and that’s what we the people of Madi must do.”

Assistant RDC Obumai Simon Peter also echoed the call for peaceful coexistence, urging residents to spread the message of peace across the district.

“What we need to do right now is to ensure that we live in peace and unity because it’s what this government has already brought for us so I am requesting everyone here to preach this massage of peace where ever you may go.”

The renewed calls for unity come at a time when leaders in Adjumani and the wider Madi are pushing for collective efforts to address key challenges affecting the community, including the Appa boundary issue and environmental concerns surrounding Zoka Forest.