Traditional Justice Practices and Peace building in Acholi Sub Region

The research was conducted in Acholi Sub region, Kitgum district-Mucwini Sub County; the purpose of the study was to examine the contributions and effectiveness of traditional justice practices in peace building, the specific objectives of the study were; to examine the major traditional justice practices (TJP) used in peace building in Mucwini sub- county, Kitgum district; to investigate the contributions and effectiveness of traditional justice practices and other justice mechanisms of peace building; to compare the traditional justice practices and formal justice mechanisms in peace building and to explore the challenges of integrating traditional practices into national peace building programs, the findings established that, the major traditional justice practices of peace building used in Acholi Sub-region were; Mato-oput (drinking the bitter root of oput tree), this is followed by Nyono-tong gweno (Stepping on an egg), Poro lok (Dialogue) and lastly Gomo-tong (Bending the spear), under TJP, there will be no resurrection of violence hence lasting peace; unlike formal justice mechanisms where there is competition and feeling of revenge by the conflicting parties.