GULU, UGANDA — In a speech that blended history, humor, and hard truth, Dr. Okello Sharon Nagenjwa challenged Acholi youth to reject political violence and redirect their energy into economic productivity, declaring that “what killed our fathers will kill us too if we invite it back.”
Addressing the region’s long history of conflict, Okello urged young people to stop recycling trauma, saying, “No one goes back to Egypt to look for those who enslaved them. No one goes to Israel to hunt those who killed Jesus. We move forward to Canaan.”
She cautioned against what she termed the “Joseph Kony pity party,” arguing that glorifying pain or living permanently in grievance only delays progress.
“Eating vomit does not make you strong,” she said. “Fresh food comes from fresh thinking and money-generating activity.”
The address emphasized democratic engagement, peaceful civic action, and economic discipline, warning youth against being used as tools in violent political agendas.
“Violence gives you power for one afternoon and takes your future for ten years,” she noted.
Okello connected peace directly to economics, arguing that restraint without opportunity eventually turns back into rage.
She called on youth to channel their energy into enterprise, sales, digital innovation, and value addition, particularly in sectors like coffee where production already exists.
Her message resonated strongly with participants, many of whom described the session as confronting but empowering, reframing peace not as silence, but as productive strategy.
