Kony’s family to undergo Acholi cleansing ritual after returning from exile

Four family members of fugitive Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony will undergo a traditional cleansing ritual to rid them of bad omens after years in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Acholi cultural institution has announced.

The individuals—Ruth Acan (Kony’s ‘wife’), Maisa Amu, Betty Akidi, and Pope Kony—returned to Uganda last week on a chartered flight from CAR after defecting to security agencies there. They were received at Entebbe International Airport by Dr. Kenneth Omona, the State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation.

According to Mr. Geoffrey Okello Okuna, the Minister of Information for the Acholi cultural institution, discussions are ongoing to determine the date of the ritual, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Defense.

“We have already met with officials from the Ministry of Defense, but we are yet to agree on a date,” Okuna said.

The ritual, which has been practiced for generations, involves stepping on fresh eggs and an ofa tree branch. It is meant to cleanse individuals of any negative forces they may have encountered while living in conflict zones.

In Acholi tradition, eggs symbolize purity and new beginnings, while the ofa tree represents peace and reconciliation. Community elders believe this practice will help reintegrate the returnees and restore their dignity.

“In Acholi culture, revenge is forbidden when a perpetrator voluntarily confesses. Stepping on an egg signifies remorse and a willingness to be forgiven,” said Mr. Dera Okello, a cultural elder from Gulu District.

The ceremony is part of a broader reconciliation effort to heal communities affected by the LRA insurgency, which lasted over two decades.

While traditional rituals play a role in community healing, the International Criminal Court (ICC) maintains that it will prosecute those most responsible for planning and financing LRA atrocities.

Maria Mabinty Kamara, the ICC Field Outreach Coordinator for Uganda, recently reaffirmed that the court supports local reconciliation efforts but will not interfere with the pursuit of justice for victims.

Several former LRA commanders, including Brig. Kenneth Banya and Maj. Gen. Caesar Acellam, have previously undergone similar cleansing rituals after defecting and reintegrating into society.

As Uganda continues to welcome former rebels home, cultural and legal approaches remain intertwined in the search for justice, healing, and long-term peace.