Two Women, One Mission: How Judith Obina Okumu and Nora Anek Helped Bring Peace to Northern Uganda

In this second part of our series, we bring you Judith Obina Okumu’s life inside the jungle with the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). There, she spent 14 days with Joseph Kony, the LRA’s leader, in a hideout in Ri-kwamba in 2007, which also marked the last gunshot and bloodshed in Northern Uganda.

How Two Women Confronted Joseph Kony to End a Brutal War
In the jungles between South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where violence and fear once reigned, a courageous woman’s mission helped pave the way for lasting peace in Northern Uganda. Judith Obina Okumu’s extraordinary journey into the heart of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) territory in 2007 is a testament to the power of dialogue, resilience, and the unyielding hope of women in conflict resolution. This is the story of how a young woman and a grieving mother confronted Joseph Kony and ended a brutal war that had torn apart Uganda for two decades.

The Courageous Mission
It all began with a request from Nora Anek Oting, the mother of Joseph Kony, leader of the infamous LRA. Nora had longed to reunite with her son, and President Yoweri Museveni saw an opportunity for peace. At only 21 years old, Judith was entrusted with an incredible responsibility: to take Nora to meet Kony in his remote jungle hideout. For Judith, this was not just a diplomatic mission; it was a chance to end the unimaginable suffering caused by the LRA’s reign of terror.

“I was terrified at first,” Judith told Peace News Network (PNN). “I tried to hide from the responsibility, but in my culture, when an elder calls you to serve, you must obey. I could not say no.” Judith’s decision to take on this perilous mission would soon become a turning point in the history of Uganda’s peace process.

A Journey into the Heart of Darkness
Judith’s journey began in Mukono, Uganda, where she picked up Nora and other members of her family. From there, they traveled to Entebbe International Airport and then to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, aboard Eagle Air. After boarding a helicopter, they flew to the dense jungles that hid Kony and his army, a dangerous terrain where few dared to tread. “As we approached Kony’s hideout, I could feel the weight of history on my shoulders. We were walking into the heart of one of Africa’s most brutal conflicts,” Judith reflects.

The moment they arrived, Judith’s fear escalated. “Halfway into our journey, we received information that Kony was coming toward us. I was shaking with fear,” she says. However, upon meeting Kony, Judith witnessed something that would change her perspective forever: a deeply emotional reunion between Kony and his mother. “When Kony saw his mother, I saw tears in his eyes. It was not tears of sorrow, but of joy. He said to her, ‘Mego I bino?’ ‘Mother, you’ve come?’” Judith explains. This powerful moment of vulnerability gave Judith the strength and courage to continue, believing that even someone as feared as Kony was still capable of change.

Inside the LRA Camp: Peace Talks and Strategic Dialogue
Judith’s team spent 14 days in the LRA camp, where the group engaged in intense discussions about forgiveness, reconciliation, and the possibility of an end to the war and seeing permanent peace. Among the members of the delegation was the current Uganda Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, who was tasked with explaining the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to Kony and his men. His legal expertise was invaluable in helping Kony understand the potential consequences of his actions.

Additionally, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora, who was the Gulu Resident District Commissioner (RIP) and a former rebel commander who had once been part of the Uganda People’s Democratic Army (UPDA), also played a crucial role. Ochora’s experience as both a former rebel and a peacebuilder made him an important figure in the discussions. His presence reassured Kony that peace was possible, even for those who had once waged war against Uganda’s government.

Despite the challenges, Judith and her team remained committed to their mission. “We knew that every conversation could bring us closer to ending the suffering of millions,” Judith recalls. “Even though we were surrounded by fear, we had to believe that peace was within reach.”

The Turning Point: A Conversation with Kony
After nine days of negotiations, a key moment arrived. President Museveni’s team arranged for a phone conversation with Kony. However, Kony refused to speak directly to the president, instead asking his second-in-command, Vincent Otti, to take his place. Judith tried to persuade Kony to speak directly with the president, but he refused. After the phone conversation, Judith’s team had hopes of traveling back to Uganda, but shockingly, Nora changed her mind and said she wanted to spend more days with her son, and that was how their stay in the jungle was extended to 14 days.

It was within the 14 days that a breakthrough came when Kony’s mother, Nora, spoke to her son about ending the war. “She told him to stop the killings and return home. She pleaded with him to consider the future and the suffering of the people,” Judith recalls. For Judith, it was a moment of clarity. Nora’s words were not just a plea from a mother to her son, but a call for humanity to prevail over violence.

The Final Message: A Promise of Peace
As the 14-day mission drew to a close, Judith’s team prepared to leave. But just before they departed, Kony delivered a message to President Museveni. “He thanked the president for taking care of his family,” Judith says. “He told me to thank the president for sending his mother to visit him, thank the president for taking care of my mother, thank the president for taking care of my children, and thank the president for burying his father and for all the help. Most importantly, he said that he would never step foot in Uganda again to fight, kill, or abduct, and this is true. Some of the witnesses who traveled with us can attest, and to prove this, our visit marked the end of gunshots and bloodshed in Northern Uganda.” Kony’s promise marked the beginning of a new chapter for Northern Uganda, one that would gradually lead to the disbandment of the LRA.

The Legacy of Two Women Mediators
Judith Obina Okumu’s role as a mediator was important in the peace process, but she was not alone. Together with Nora, who courageously spoke to her son about ending the violence, and Betty Bigombe, who had long worked for peace in her former roles as a peace mediator and government minister, Judith helped strengthen the foundation for reconciliation that Bigombe and other peacemakers had built in Northern Uganda. These women, along with countless others, proved that women can be powerful agents of peace, even in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances.

Today, Northern Uganda is slowly rebuilding, free from the shadow of the LRA’s terror. The story of Judith and the other women who played a crucial role in ending the war serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of dialogue, empathy, and determination. Judith’s bravery and unwavering belief in peace have given hope for conflict resolution worldwide.

Judith’s story is now immortalized in her book 14 Days with Kony: The Hidden Heroes, where she reflects on the journey and honors the people and organizations that played a role in bringing peace to Northern Uganda. It’s a story that deserves to be heard, not just as a historical account, but as a powerful example of how individuals can make a difference in the pursuit of peace.

The women who brought an end to one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts have proven that even in the face of unimaginable fear and violence, hope and peace can prevail. Their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to a brighter future remain a beacon of inspiration for the world.

Keywords: Joseph Kony, Kony, Uganda, Northern Uganda, Judith Obina, Nora Anek, Betty Bigombe, women, women in peacebuilding, Ugandan women