WEST NILE KONY WAR VICTIMS ASSURED COMPENSATION BEFORE JULY

By Morish Dramadri

Arua city

The long-awaited compensation for victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in West Nile could finally be realized before the end of June, following a closed-door meeting held over the weekend between leaders of the victims and officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

The assurance comes as relief to 1,102 registered victims whose properties were destroyed, looted, or otherwise affected by LRA rebel activities across the West Nile sub-region between the 1980s and early 2000s. The victims have been demanding compensation amounting to more than UGX 99 billion from the Government of Uganda.

Although the LRA insurgency ended years ago after government military operations successfully pushed the rebels out of Uganda, many survivors in West Nile say they have never received any form of compensation despite launching a collective campaign for redress in 2010.

The two-decade conflict in Northern Uganda left devastating consequences, including thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, abductions of children, sexual violence against women, and destruction of livelihoods. Many families continue to live with the physical, economic, and psychological scars of the war.

Under international humanitarian law, governments bear responsibility for providing remedies and compensation to victims affected by armed conflicts, particularly where citizens suffer loss of life, property, and livelihoods as a result of war.

Speaking after the meeting, the Chairperson of the West Nile Kony War Victims Association, Alex Matua, said the latest engagement with government officials has renewed hope among victims who have spent years waiting for justice.

According to Matua, many registered claimants have died before seeing any compensation.

“I have so far lost 111 members who died before receiving compensation. Many of them suffered because they could not afford proper medical care and lived under difficult conditions. Government has assured us that whatever funds are available will be released first, and we shall continue pursuing the balance later. I want to assure the victims that before July, they are expected to receive their money,” Matua said.

For many victims, the prolonged delay has resulted in frustration and uncertainty, with some fearing they may never benefit from the compensation process. Concerns also remain over individuals who have not yet been formally registered and could miss future compensation opportunities.

Victor Ajuma, Director for Technical Services at the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN), urged all affected persons who have not yet registered under the recognized umbrella structures to do so immediately.

“The documents for the registered Kony war victims have already been submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and are currently at the payment stage. Those who have not yet lodged their claims through the association led by Alex Matua should register under the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network so that their claims can be processed and forwarded for future consideration and compensation,” Ajuma said.

The West Nile Kony War Victims Association brings together survivors and affected families from across the region, including the districts of Arua, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha, Nebbi, Pakwach, and Zombo.

With government now promising a payout before July, victims and their families are hopeful that a process that has taken more than a decade of advocacy and waiting may finally deliver long-overdue justice and relief to those who suffered losses during the LRA insurgency.