Former LRA abductees in Lango accuse gov’t of neglect

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 500 former Lord’s Resistance Army -LRA abductees in Lango sub-region are demanding for compensation from the government.

The group under their umbrella, Lango Former LRA Captives and Returnees Association notes that most of them are in dire need for help, yet government has done little to facilitate their reintegration into the community.

They specifically want government to consider initiating special program through the Ministry of Northern Uganda that can directly support them to enhance their financial status and ensure total rehabilitation.

Philips Ogile, a resident of Abok sub county in Oyam district spent two years in LRA captivity and returned in 2000 says many of the ex-captives are poor because they lack the required education to acquire jobs following their prolonged stay under captivity.

Ogile faulted government for failing to finance their rehabilitation processes, neglecting their efforts to resettle after years in captivity.

He says that their attempts to seek for support from the government have failed.

Ogile says are now contemplating legal action since it was their constitutional mandate of government to protect them from insurgency.

Harriet Akello, 32, a resident of Ogur sub county, says that she should be compensated for the four years she spent in the bush while in captivity.

According to Akello, all her dreams of education were shattered since her parents were also killed by the rebels at the time of her abduction.

Solomon Okello, another victim who was forcefully abducted and conscripted into LRA ranks during the Barlonyo IDP raid, says many youths who were abducted have remained jobless and battling life frustrations.

In 2016, the group first petitioned Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah seeking for support but up to date, they have never been supported by the government.

Jane Ekoyu, the Executive Director of Children for Peace a local NGO operating in Lango sub-region says they have been conducting various rehabilitation programs for the former captives.

Between 1987 and 2007, Lango sub-region was subjected to countless human rights atrocities by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army –LRA.

It is estimated that over 20,000 children were abducted by the LRA, many of whom were forced to commit horrific acts of violence while others fled their homes.

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