A new book on forgiveness has suggested that at least 68 percent of war survivors in Uganda are ready to forgive their tormentors.
The book titled; ‘Forgiveness: Unveiling an Asset for Peace building’ indicates that though some of the victims do not know the perpetrators of the crimes committed against them, they have no intention to seek revenge.
In an interview conducted involving 1,209 war survivors, from Luweero, Acholi, West Nile and Lango who suffering during conflict, 68 in 100 are ready to forgive and move on with their lives.
While releasing the book recently in Gulu, Mr Daniel Philphott, one of the researchers noted that those who experienced war during the successive 44 different conflicts Uganda has registered over the last 30 years want to move on.
Philphott, the Director for Center for Civil and Human Rights, from University of Notre Dame in the United States says, “Religion has played a great role in the life of many Ugandans who have experienced the reality of the war.”
According to Philphott, majority of those interviewed view forgiveness as a healing act.
The international peace expert further says that a similar view has been expressed by countries with troubled pasts such as Northern Ireland and Bosnia among others.
He says, “Someone holding a grudge is not far from a container carrying acid. With time, the acid will destroy the container which holds it after it has eroded it.”
He said forgiveness does not mean giving up on justice but rather reconstructing a life which was almost destroyed by the war.
Rwot Baptist Latim of Pawel clan says Acholi is the best example when it comes to forgiveness since it does not seek for revenge even in an extreme crime.
Prof. Emilio Ovuga, a psychiatrist with Faculty of Medicine at the Department of Mental Health at Gulu University says, “Forgiveness can release one from the past and assist in overcoming resentment or regrets that he may have.”
Prof Ovuga forgiveness is a powerful tool for reconciliation.
