John B. “Lacambel” Oryema has become something of a household figure in northern Uganda, especially when it comes to the role radio plays in encouraging and facilitating the peaceful surrender of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) combatants.
In fact, he’s a household figure in name and in voice, as the host of the radio program “Dwog Paco,” which means “Come Back Home” in the Acholi language.
The program broadcasts from Mega FM, the state-owned radio station based in Gulu, not far from Invisible Children Uganda’s main office, and into areas throughout the region where the LRA currently operates. He began broadcasting similar messages of peace in 1987 and developed come home programming targeting the LRA in 2001.
A “peace loving citizen,” Lacambel worked to build trust with key stakeholders connected to his program. This includes community members, who share messages to be sent to members of the LRA, and the Ugandan government. Above all else, Lacambel directs his program at the LRA.
“I try to make it in such a way that they would be happy to hear their names, happy to hear that their parents are here surviving, their parents are longing to see them,” he said, explaining how he wanted to instill hope in them for their futures in Uganda.
The ultimate goal? That the messages would strike a chord with the potential defector, “raise hope” and encourage that person to realize he or she can and should return. He said it is also important to treat members of the LRA with humanity, recognizing that almost all of the combatants were forcibly abducted and would likely return home if given the chance and the knowledge that they would be safely welcomed.
He said combatants often hear propaganda that there is nothing left for them in Uganda – no development and no peace. Because of this, using radio messaging to share the truth is crucial.
“I encourage them that if you are still in the bush…you are there because of circumstances, you are there just under indoctrination. At home, here is a better place for you.” He also explains tactics for defecting.
“I used to tell them, if you are sent to go and look for food, that is your opportunity. If you’re supposed to go and get water, that is your opportunity. If you are sent to go and ambush, that is your opportunity,” he said. “Never will you hear one day that your top commander will say, ‘Please…I want so and so to go back home.’ It is upon you to make your own way.”
This FM radio tower in Central African Republic is one of seven throughout central Africa that Invisible Children partners with to broadcast Come Home Messages. Along with shortwave stations, they broadcast over 29,628 square miles.
The conversation isn’t just one sided either.
“I also gave them the opportunity to call on me,” he said. ”I gave them a number. They could call me from time to time off air. “
Thus, he has often engaged in dialogue with LRA commanders and combatants, both over the phone and in person, continuing to encourage peace and promote recovery.
“It is upon me, to assure them that whoever comes out will not be indicted,” he said. “Their minds are already terrorized. You are given an assignment to kill. For a reason that is not even known to you. You kill your own mates, your own colleague, a commander within the rebel group, for very simple mistakes. It is very sad.”
As for if the LRA conflict can come to a concrete end, Lacambel does not think it will be through one finite event. Just as abductions occurred one at a time, so will defections. With each defection, comes another returnee who can record messages to share with those still in the bush, combat LRA propaganda and share information on Kony’s whereabouts. All with the ultimate goal of bringing Uganda’s citizens home.
“Uganda will never be Uganda minus them. Uganda is a composition of the citizens and the land and the properties of the people. That is what comprise and makes Uganda. Uganda, when the citizens are out of Uganda, and fighting Ugandans, it’s so bad,” he said.
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