Lacambel`s, real name John Bosco Oryema, voice dominated the airwaves across Northern Uganda, his radio program ”Dwog Cen Paco”, translated as ”Come Back Home”, which aired on Mega Fm every Tuesday and Thursday evenings, was the bridge between the rebels in the bush and the communities of Acholi.
When the conflicts ravaged the northern region, from 2001, Lacambel, who was coopted from Radio Freedom, used his live program to call rebels home; it carried messages of hope and wooed many fighters to return home.
Lacambel used his soothing but commanding soft-spoken voice to plead directly to Joseph Kony and his top commanders, including Vincent Otti, Okot Odhiambo, Sam Kolo and convicted Dominic Ongwen.
At that time, cell phones were few, but evidence has it that some top LRA commanders, once in a while, made live calls into the show and made their demands and intentions known. The program also received and read out letters from the rebels and community members.
In many instances, returnees were prerecorded, and their voices played over the radio, to prove that the government was not killing those who returned home from the bush. The same returnees were used to urge those in the bush to come back home and denounce war.
The show was blended by soul-touching Acholi traditional songs depicting the sufferings of people in northern Uganda due to the war, which led to the encampment of thousands, causing grief, moral decadence, famine and diseases.
To the affected communities, Lacambel`s message focused on peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Due to this, in 2006, he became part of the delegation led by Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to brave the jungles of Garamba in South Sudan to meet LRA leader Joseph Kony and his associates to broker peace between the rebels and the government.
His roles were simple but difficult: to deal directly with the rebel leaders, the plight of the people, inform them that the people were willing to forgive and also, in turn, record and broadcast their message to the people back home.
”Dwog Cen Paco, Dano Tye Ka Kuru Wu”, return home, people are waiting for you, was a common phrase throughout his program. He turned the microphone into a weapon, reaching places the gun and soldiers could not reach.
Throughout this time, his voice stood out as the bridge for peace. He was widely known among former LRA combatants and the government intelligence community.
Owing to ill health due to cancer, Lacambel, who was 74, eventually quit media work in 2023. He has been in and out of the hospital, treating several conditions, until on Sunday, when he breathed his last from St Mary`s Hospital, Lacor in Gulu City.
Mr Emar Okanokodi, who worked alongside Lacambel, traversing IDP camps to record peace messages and contemporary artists, described him as one who was more than a broadcaster, whose death cast a dark shadow in northern Uganda.
”Today, northern Uganda has fallen quiet. Lacambel W’Ogena, the voice that once called rebels home, that carried hope through static into IP camps, that refused to let despair have the last word, has taken his final bow.” Mr Okanokodi said.
”In the darkest years of the LRA war, when fear ruled Northern Uganda and silence meant survival, Lacambel turned a microphone into a bridge. Through ”Dwog Cen Paco”, he spoke directly to those in the bush, not with condemnation, but with a father`s place: Return home. Your people are waiting. He added.
Lacambel, thank you for using your voice when it mattered most. Rest in peace. May the airwaves carry your name with the same dignity you gave. Mr Okano said in his eulogy.
Veteran journalist, Mr Denis Ojwee, braved the battlefield during the insurgency, describing Lacambel`s demise as a great loss of a warrior who mobilised and welcomed the rebels back home.
”It`s a very big loss, we have lost a warrior for peace, he was so much engaged in the Dwog cen Paco program. He was talking to the LRA commanders; his biggest fight was to see the rebels come back home.” Mr Ojwee said.
He advocated for LRA commanders to denounce the war and come back home. It`s very unfortunate that just like me, he has not been rewarded for bringing peace in northern Uganda.” He added.
”I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend, Lacambel Wod Ogena, a crusade for peace and a promoter for reconciliation, who was a great Ugandan patriot, Mr Ruhakana Rukunda, who was part of the peace delegation to Garamba alongside Lacambel, who now serves as Gulu University Chancellor, said institution`s Communications Officer, Mr James Onono Ojok, on Sunday evening.
Lacambel`s advocacy for peace was blended with his traditional dances night program, which offered more reasons to the LRA fighters to lay down their weapons and return home, because they were missing the rhythms and sounds of Acholi culture.
Mr Ali Acaye, who was a major in the ranks of the LRA rebel, told this publication in an earlier interview that his determination to escape from the bush alongside 140 others in 2013 was inspired by the Dwog Cen Paco radio program.
”I was arrested when I was still young and was deceived into thinking that when I returned home, the government would kill me. But I was doubtful, because I would hear some returnees talk over the radio.” Mr Acaye said.
Lacambel`s former workplace confirmed his demise on Sunday evening, describing him as a legend who brought joy to every home.
”With a heavy heart, Mega FM announces the passing of our beloved legend, Lacambel Wod Ogena. The voice that touched thousands, the man who brought joy to every home in Acholiland – Lacambel Wod Ogena has left us today.”
Adding; ”During the dark days of the LRA insurgency in Northern Uganda, Lacambel wod Ogena used his voice through Dwog cen Paco as a bridge to peace – calling rebel sons and daughters to lay down their guns and come back home through the airwaves of Mega FM. His voice was more than the radio. It was family. It was comfort. It was home.”
Rest well, our legend. Your voice will echo in our hearts forever.
Rest in perfect peace. Amen.
At one point, Lacambel was arrested after setting up a makeshift radio at his workshop along Nehru Road.
He said the radio was meant to promote peace in Northern Uganda.
Lacambel dropped out of St Joseph’s College Layibi, to become a radio repairer. He later turned into a peace envoy.
‘I chose peace because my brother died as a result of violence. I never wanted anyone to feel the pain I went through,’ he said.
He was also pivotal in the 2006 failed Juba Peace Talks. He used his skills to set up a small studio using rudimentary radio equipment.
His work attracted government attention. However, the Ugandan intelligence community were sceptical that he was going to use the radio to inflame the insurgency.
His guests included senior government military officers, rebels who have defected, political leaders, relatives and parents of LRA combatants.
The radio played a pivotal role in defection, disarmament and reintegration. It is estimated that nearly 8,000 LRA fighters defected after hearing a message on the radio.
In several instances, senior LRA commanders, including Joseph Kony and his deputy Vincent Otti, called live on air during shows he hosted to warn communities of incoming offensives.