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How Gen. Salim Saleh rebuilt Northern Uganda

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How Gen. Salim Saleh rebuilt Northern Uganda
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True leadership is not about war but about healing

As General Caleb Akandwanaho, commonly known as Salim Saleh, marks another year of his storied life, his legacy continues to resonate far beyond the battlefield.

Once a fearless rebel leader, Saleh has evolved into a peacemaker, mentor, and champion for development, with a focus on healing and uniting Uganda.

General Saleh's pivotal role in ending the conflict in northern Uganda remains one of his defining achievements.

Through dialogue and reconciliation, he has helped rebuild families and transform adversaries into neighbours, fostering trust in communities once torn apart by war.

“True leadership is not about war but about healing,” Saleh often emphasises, a reflection of his unwavering commitment to a united Uganda.

Determined to eliminate hunger, Saleh has been deeply involved in promoting food security across Uganda.

His initiatives provide farmers with better seeds, modern agricultural techniques, and market access, ensuring that no Ugandan goes hungry.

“Food security is the backbone of a self-reliant nation,” he says, as he works tirelessly to make Uganda thrive.

Saleh also envisions a Uganda that harnesses its natural resources to build a self-sustaining economy.

By spearheading agro-industrial development, he is transforming raw produce into finished products, creating jobs, and mentoring young entrepreneurs.

His efforts are evident in the factories rising across the country and the growing number of farmers transitioning into successful businesspeople.

Saleh’s leadership extends beyond economic empowerment. He has emerged as a unifying figure, promoting dialogue and understanding among Uganda’s diverse communities.

His initiatives have strengthened the nation’s social fabric, demonstrating that Uganda’s strength lies in its unity.

Through the Salim Saleh Foundation for Humanity, launched in 1997, his philanthropic efforts have transformed countless lives.

The foundation supports orphans, equips youth with skills, uplifts veterans, and empowers farmers.

“For Saleh, service is not just a duty; it is a calling,” noted Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao.

Mao, who praised Saleh for his exceptional contributions to the Acholi Sub-region, described him as a transformative leader.

He highlighted Saleh’s evolution from a military strategist to a champion of financial inclusion and community development.

“From his military genius in the NRA, where he planned the attack on Kampala in his 20s, to his reinvention as an advocate for economic inclusion, his journey has been extraordinary,” Mao stated.

He also recalled Saleh’s bold claim during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, promising to end the war in six months.

This declaration caught the attention of President Museveni, leading to Saleh’s deployment in the north, where he played a decisive role in restoring peace.

“Even if you love peace, sometimes you need arms to create conditions for it,” Mao said, praising Saleh’s ability to bring warring parties together.

Economically, Saleh has been a driving force behind agro-industrial development and financial inclusion, particularly through Operation Wealth Creation.

His efforts have ensured that ordinary people gain access to financial opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

Saleh’s popular refrain, “God is in Gulu, money is in Kampala,” reflects his vision of bridging economic disparities and empowering rural communities.

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