By KT Reporter
Members of the Kony War Victims and Ombaci Massacre claimants have issued a two-week ultimatum to President Museveni and the government to pay their compensation.
In a heated meeting of the members at Arua City Mayor’s gardens on Thursday, the victims under their umbrella, West Nile Kony War Victims, said after thirteen years, they have run out of patience and have given the government only two weeks to respond to their demand. 1,102 members of Kony War Victims in West Nile lost their lives, sustained permanent injuries, lost merchandise and other properties during the Kony insurgency and attacks on civilians in northern Uganda between 1991 and 1995 along Karuma-Pakwach.
The members are demanding compensation of 99.9 billion Shillings from the government, but the process has dragged on for over ten years. 103 members have since died, while others are now bedridden without receiving their compensation from the government.
Similarly, relatives of 81 civilians who were killed in cold blood in Ombaci on June 21st 1981, now the famous Ombaci Massacre, have reiterated their demand for compensation of over 20 billion Shillings before the next general elections are held.
Bernard Atiku, former MP Ayivu, and one of the leaders of the compensation claimants, while addressing the aggrieved members at the Mayor’s gardens in Arua city on Thursday, said they have given the President two weeks to respond to their demand or they will march to State House.
The 14 days elapseKassiano Wadri, former Terego and later Arua Municipality MP and another leader of the compensation claimants, challenged President Museveni to prove his commitment to the well-being of the people of West Nile by giving priority to the needs of the people.
Alex Matua, the chairman of West Nile Kony War Victims Association, said despite having submitted all the required documents, they are being frustrated time and again, a situation that has now led them to issue a final ultimatum to the president.
However, some of the war victims have expressed anger and disappointment at the deliberate failure by the government to pay them compensation for the sufferings they went through.
Over the years, the claimants have made spirited efforts to the government, including legal redress, but have received unfulfilled promises from the government, causing them to lose hope.
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