The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has clarified that the Ugandan nationals repatriated into the country last week were hired mercenaries fighting for the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), and not defectors from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The UPDF in collaboration with the government of South Sudan repatriated the group from Juba on Friday last week.
The returnees include seven adult men, four women, and two children, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation in Gulu City. Initial reports had indicated that the group had defected from the LRA rebel outfit led by elusive rebel leader Joseph Kony from the Central African Republic (CAR).
However, the Commander of the Fourth Infantry Division, Maj Gen Felix Busizoori told Uganda Radio Network in an interview that the returnees were actually members of the SPLM-IO who had been recruited to fight against the South Sudan government. “They are SPLA-IO, not LRA,” Gen Busizoori said in a brief message to Uganda Radio Network.
According to Gen Busizoori, the group had largely been operating in South Sudan under the SPLM-IO rebel movement and should not be categorized as former LRA combatants.He added that another group of genuine LRA defectors is already in the process of being repatriated back to Uganda, although he did not disclose the exact date or the number of individuals expected.
Alex Oyet, the coordinator of Ker Kwaro Acholi in East Acholi, also confirmed that assessments conducted after the group’s arrival established that most of the returnees had been operating under the SPLM-IO.Oyet had earlier told stakeholders during the welcoming ceremony last Friday that the returnees had been engaging with the Acholi Cultural Institution since 2023.
He had indicated that the group were former LRA fighters stationed in Sam-Ouanja, a town in the Central African Republic bordering South Sudan. However, Oyet later revealed that only two of the returnees both adult males were confirmed to be former LRA defectors from the Central African Republic.
An official from Terra Renaissance, the non-governmental organization facilitating the rehabilitation of the returnees, expressed surprise over the revelations, noting that the organization primarily supports vulnerable former LRA abductees and returnees.
“We had been in touch with former LRA abductees, and some of their names are the same as those who came back. But we are surprised that the group we were talking to is different,” the official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said. “Our target group is different. These people are not part of our target beneficiaries, but the army instructed us to allow them to stay there. They know what they will do,” the source added.
Officials from Terra Renaissance said the returnees are expected to spend between 18 months and two years undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. The programme will also include vocational skills training in areas such as fashion and design, carpentry, and joinery-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
