Bamasaba, Acholi Kings resolve to use mato oput to address murder cases
This traditional method is commonly applied in cases where the crime was unintentional.
Mbale: The cultural leaders of the Bamasaba and Acholi communities have agreed to use the traditional reconciliation method known as Mato Oput to resolve murder cases between their tribes.
This decision was made during a meeting between His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, the Umukuka III of the Bamasaba people, and His Highness David Ocen II, the cultural leader of the Acholi people.
The meeting, held in Bugisu, aimed to address a recent tragedy in which a Bamasaba man, Nambale Alex, allegedly caused the death of an Acholi man, Godfrey Ocira, last month in Kapchowa District. Ocira, an employee of Kawa Com Coffee Company, was struck and killed by a truck.
The Acholi cultural leader reached out to the Umukuka of the Bamasaba, proposing the use of traditional conflict resolution methods like Mato Oput to settle the matter.
This method, deeply rooted in Acholi culture, was famously used in past high-profile cases such as the Kanyumunyu and Acena incident, where reconciliation was sought after one person unlawfully took the life of another.
Mato Oput involves the accused person acknowledging their wrongs in front of elders, followed by a confession. After the confession, a compensation stage begins, and the accused may also kneel before the deceased’s family to seek forgiveness.
This traditional method is commonly applied in cases where the crime was unintentional.
The Umukuka III welcomed the use of traditional reconciliation methods, emphasizing their potential in resolving conflicts that arise without premeditation.
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