UGANDA OWES A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO JOHN LACAMBEL FOR HIS SELFLESS SERVICE AND SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ADVOCACY

“Joseph Kony, LRA war Lord, just a resemblance of LRA, just is wandering in the Darfur region of Western Sudan. Any former LRA combatant who wants to cause travel. We shall get them at Lagoro Hill, or Ato Hill; UPDF will get you there. And you will know the might of UPDF combatant power.” Major General Willy Otto, Director of UPDF Chieftaincy of Defense Military Intelligence, warns.

GULU CITY-SUNDAY JUNE 14,2028

By Okumu Livingstone Langol, (Uganda Correspondent)

Thousands of mourners brave the hot, scorching sun to attend the burial of John Oryema Lacambel, the former UPDF Central Information and Intelligence Command during LRA, from 1986-2006, to allow peace to prevail in Northern Uganda, to pay tributes for the man who saved thousands of souls of the former LRA abductees.

John Lacambel Wod Ogena stood the test of time to implement the Juba Peace Agreement agenda number 4, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). After the Juba Peace Agreement, he used Local Gulu FM Radio to send messages to LRA soldiers who were fighting the Government of Uganda. As Joseph Kony, the LRA warlord, took over from the former Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA), now called the Uganda People’s Democratic Army (UPDA), led by Brig. Gen. Odong Latek from 1987.

The Acholi/Luo community, once a pillar of strong social and cultural fabric mighty enough that the enemy would not break their chain of command, as central unity would not allow individual members to sell their right now stand.

Major General Willy Otto, the Director of UPDF Military Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, told the mourners on Sunday, June 13, 2026, that UPDF during war have to Centre of operation, the military and Information Centre that helps to put down LRA combatants. It was headed by John Oryema Lacambel to lure unarmed LRA abductees to surrender.

“We had two command centers during the LRA war: the military command under the UPDF and the Information command headed by John Oryema Lacambel, which was monitoring the LRA war and talking to the former children’s abductees who were unarmed, and they were facing UPDF military power to surrender and come back home. Lacambel was talking to parents of LRA abductees to send the message to their children who were in captivity. Later, when those children surrendered, Lacambel used them to talk to other children who remained in captivity; that is why we won the war.” Major General Otto told the mourners.

Added, as I talk to you now, within 48 hours, the former LRA combatants who were in Darfur, Sudan, we have collected them from among the civilians and we are bringing them home. Those who think that Joseph Kony is still a military force, they have to forget; Joseph Kony is now moving in Darfur looking for survival.

You can look for photography on page two in the book, memorial services of the John Lacambel; the first person laughing is Martin Ojul, LRA chairman of the Juba Peace talks; the second is Joseph Kony, who is also laughing. The two people who are now dead: Col. Walter Ochora, former Gulu District Chairman, and Johnny Lacambel. My photo would have appeared among them, but when we reached Juba, one of the SPLA Cols. held me and raised me up, and the LRA combatants who were present started making tete-a-tete among themselves; this made me withdraw from joining Joseph Kony Tactful headquarter in Garamba.

“I know many of you are not aware that when UPDF were deployed in DR. Congo, I was the one commanding them. We fought LRA, and we pushed them to Central African Republic (CAR), where I followed them and from CAR, I pushed them to Darfur, Western Sudan. When the UPDF was finally called off in 2017, I was still commanding them.

I warn those former LRA combatants who have surrendered, and they are back home, never to try to go back to the bush and wage another war. Those who planned to go to Atto Hill and Latanya Hill, we shall get you there. You, the mighty of UPDF force.” Major General Willy Otto warned.

Apart from the Lacambel attempt, there were several peace talk Diplomacy Mechanism Track 1 used by Betty Begomabe, the former Northern Uganda Pacification Ministry, which attempts failed. Until Martin Ojul led Track Two Diplomacy, which paved the way for the Juba peace talk cord named 2006 Juba Peace Talks.

Office of the President eulogy read by Vice Chancellor Prof George Openyjuru Ladaa

Prof. George Openyjuru Ladaa who read the messages of Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda praise the late Lacambel as one of hero

Condolence messages the family John Oryema Lacembel. We are deeply sudden by the passing of John Oryema Lacembel, a distinguished journalist, patriot, peace advocate whose voice become a beacon of hope during a lord resistance army insurgency in Northern Uganda.

Through his work on Mega FM, particularly his peace broadcast, he helped bridge the divide between those trapped in conflict and the communities awaiting their return.

By conveying message from families, traditional and religious leaders, political leaders, and the Government of Uganda, he encouraged countless ubductees and combatants to return home, assuring them of securities, forgiveness, and reintegration into society.

His deep understanding of the conflicts, extensive contacts and commitment to peace also made a valuation contribution to the progress achieved during Juba peace talks.

Uganda owes a debt of gratitude to John Oryema Lacembel for his selfless service and his significant role in advancing, reconciliation, ending the conflict, and restoring peace and stability in Northern Uganda.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friend, colleagues, and the people of Northern Uganda.

May His Soul Rest in External Peace?

His emeritus prime minister of Uganda Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.” Messages read.

The church services mass was conducted by Emeritus Archbishop John Baptist Odama, of Gulu Catholic Arch Diocese during the burial of legendary broadcaster and peace advocate Johnny Baptist Oryema (Muzee Lacambel) at Kabedopong-Lumuku, Gulu City, and Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama praised him as a national hero who championed peace. He called on Ugandans to emulate Lacambel’s selfless dedication to uniting communities and restoring hope without resorting to violence.