By KT Reporter
A group of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) abductees is set to embark on a new journey of hope after completing a year-long vocational training program at a transit camp in Gulu City.
The program, initiated by the government through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in partnership with Pax Netherlands, aims to promote self-reliance as the former captives reintegrate into the community.
On Saturday, a total of 133 former abductees, comprising males and females, received certificates of completion for the vocational training in a graduation ceremony held at the OPM office in Gulu city.
Marianne Moor, PAX Project Lead, noted during the graduation ceremony that through the vocational training, the former captives are now ready to participate and contribute to society as full citizens of the country.
She noted that besides vocational training, they also received health and mental health care, psychosocial support, income-generating skills, and humanitarian support.
The former abductees who will be leaving the transit camp by the end of May this year will be resettled in groups of 10 in Gulu district, Omiya Anyima Sub-county in Kitgum district, Lacekocot Trading Center in Pader District, Atiak Town Council, Pabbo, and Alero Sub-counties in Amuru district.
Marianne, however, asked the locals, political, and cultural leaders in the respective communities where the returnees will be resettled to wholeheartedly accept them to facilitate a peaceful reintegration and reconciliation.
Children belonging to the abductees have also been enrolled at school and will receive free education courtesy of PAX Netherlands until the end of this year.
Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the Fourth Infantry Division Commander, encouraged the returnees to maintain discipline so that they live harmoniously with the community members, adding that they should use their skills gained to generate income.
Gen Busizoori equally appealed to the community members not to stigmatize the returnees when they reintegrate, arguing that it wasn’t their own choice to be part of the LRA.
Acholi Paramount Chief David Onen Acana II advised the returnees never to undermine the skills they have attained, arguing that once they start getting profits, they should not misuse the money. He discouraged them from engaging in drunkenness and laziness, but rather to be productive at all times.
Rwot Acana also handed over 5 million shillings to the returnees as a startup for their savings group.
Dr. Kenneth Omona, the State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, noted that while there is prevailing peace currently, the process of reconciliation should continue within the community so that the returnees reintegrate peacefully. Omona particularly called on the traditional and religious leaders in the Acholi sub-region to champion the process.
The Minister, however, cautioned the returnees against being lured into any activity that destabilizes the security of the nation, adding that they should be able to reject such ideas boldly. At least 53 of the returnees were handed over 1 million shillings each as a startup for their livelihood projects in the community where they will be resettled.
The Amnesty Commission has also promised to deliver a resettlement package of 264,000 shillings to the returnees by next week. The returnees are part of a group of 141 former LRA abductees who have been undergoing rehabilitation in Pece-Laroo division in Gulu city since their repatriation by the government from the Central African Republic (CAR) in mid-2023.
As part of the reintegration processes, a group of the returnees underwent the traditional cleansing ritual of nyono tongweno,(stepping on an egg) from the Acholi cultural institution aimed at welcoming them back home-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
