Ex combatants in Zombo embroiled in land disputes

Zombo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Several ex-combatants in Zombo district have cried out over the land wrangles they are embroiled in with their relatives, three months after their return from rebellion. According to the returnees, they lost huge chunks of their land that were sold off by their own relatives while they were incarcerated.

Sadick Orwiny, a returnee from Ajere village in Zombo town council, says that upon his return, he found out that his land had been taken over by his relatives and all his houses were demolished.

“I have been living with well-wishers ever since I was pardoned by the government, but my relatives have turned against me. They sold my land, my houses were demolished and all the trees I planted were sold by them”, he said.

Gilbert Ogamdhogwa, another returnee and a resident of Lor central village in Zeu sub county, told Uganda Radio Network that his land has been taken over by a Savings and Credit Cooperative Society-SACCO group after his wife got married to another man who staked it as security to acquire a loan.

“As I talk now, my home is not mine anymore, my wife with the help of another man borrowed a loan and my land has been taken away from me in a situation like this, who can help me out”, Ogamdhogwa aked.

The returnees are part of 14 former combatants of the Uganda Homeland Liberation Movement who were granted amnesty and reunited with their families in September this year. They were arrested more than two years ago in various parts of Zombo following the attacks on Oduk UPDF detachment in March 2020.

Amb. Lt. Col (Rtd), Obitre Gama, the Demobilization Resettlement Team head of the Amnesty Commission in Arua, has urged the returnees to always consult security in case of any threat to their lives and properties as opposed to running away.

According to Lt Col. (Rtd) Pius Alitema, the Zombo Resident District Commissioner, his office is aware of the concerns of the returnees, noting that the district security committee plans to hold a meeting with the returnees to hear their concerns.

Amnesty Commission has granted amnesty to at least 61 former rebels of Homeland Liberation Front combatants since 2020.

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