War victims in West Nile have renewed their demand for compensation from the government for the loss of lives and property they suffered during years of insurgency and conflict in the region. According to data from the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN), more than 8,000 war victims have so far been duly registered in the region.
The victims include people affected by the 1979 war that toppled Idi Amin’s government, the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) I and II insurgencies, and the West Nile Bank Front rebellion. Others were affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency between 1991 and 1996, as well as the 1981 massacres in Ombaci, Kuluva, Odramacaku, Yumbe, Terego and Koboko.
The list also includes victims of the violence that accompanied the 2018 Arua Municipality parliamentary by-election, during which the driver of National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi was shot dead, more than ten people were wounded by gunfire, while dozens of others were arrested and detained in Gulu after being accused of stoning President Yoweri Museveni’s motorcade.
During his campaign trail in West Nile on January 9, President Museveni disclosed that he had received documents relating to the compensation of war victims and directed the Office of the Prime Minister to verify the list and expedite the compensation process.
However, the victims say the directive has not translated into compensation, with their leaders accusing government agencies of dragging their feet on the matter. They also say repeated efforts to reach the President, and other responsible ministries and agencies have not yielded a positive outcome over the years.
Ben Yumah, the chairperson of war victims and survivors in Terego District, says the documentation of their members has been completed, and they are now awaiting submission to the regional database for further management.
Yumah says dozens of civilians were brutalised during the 1979 conflict in areas including Onai, Wandi and Aripea, but have never received compensation.
Similarly, Antesi Oyemi Aseri, a former vice-chairperson of UNRF II and chairperson of the Madi Okollo District Rising Voices for Peace Association of war victims, says compensation should go beyond financial support.
Aseri says war victims also require psychosocial support and greater awareness of the available government programmes, arguing that West Nile deserves a comprehensive compensation programme.
Meanwhile, Jane Aliru, a victim of the 1979 Saba Saba conflict and the 1990s LRA war, says she lost both her son and husband during the conflicts.
Aliru, who chairs the war victims’ association in Arua Central Division, Arua City, questions why government has continued to delay action despite numerous calls for compensation from war-affected communities in West Nile.
Richard Andama, the Executive Director of the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN), says the group will now write to the Prime Minister to remind her of President Museveni’s directive to verify and compensate the victims.
Andama says the victims are ready to cooperate with government officials during the verification process, which he describes as a serious exercise requiring proper documentation.
The renewed demand comes against the backdrop of compensation programmes in other parts of the country, including Teso, Lango and Acholi, where families affected by wars and insurgencies have reportedly received cattle and monetary compensation for losses suffered during conflicts before and during the NRM government.
The West Nile victims now want a similar programme extended to the region, arguing that decades of waiting for compensation have left many survivors and families of those killed without meaningful redress-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
