GULU: The Northern Uganda Peace icon and Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, has called on the international community to condemn and stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
On February 24th, the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin declared a special military operation against Ukraine, something Odama has described as dehumanising and uncivilized.
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When the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leaders met in 2006 in Juba, Odama played a big role. This led to the end of a decade-long insurgency in Northern Uganda.
According to Odama, going to war is a sign of backwardness at a time when humanity has advanced in civilization and does not need any more bloodshed.
Odama, who was speaking to URN from Gulu City on Ash Wednesday, noted that humans have learned from the history of the war in Northern Uganda, World Wars I and II, among others, that these are never solutions to any problem.
Vladimir Putin should not start a war to make himself look less important as a world leader, he said. He asked him to keep his dignity by respecting Ukraine.
People who are supposed to keep peace also need to help stop more invasions of Ukraine by facilitating peace talks and also by not making weapons of war.
Stop war, and there will be no more wars in the world.
Stop all those who are manufacturing tools of war. Stop them. ” May God intervene. That is my prayer. “May God intervene in this situation so that people realise their mistakes and say sorry,” he said.
Referring to Pope Francis’ message for the Lenten Period, Bishop Odama noted that the world should not grow tired of doing good to humanity by preaching goodness, love, solidarity, and justice.
Justine Erick Uma, the Parish Priest of Holy Rosary, asked world leaders to be non-violent, avoid conflict, and seek dialogue when they disagree with each other. This would help make the world a better place to live.
