REGIONAL ADVOCACY FOR WAR VICTIMS COMPENSATION IN WEST NILE AHEAD OF 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF OMBACI MASSACRE

WE-CAN, Ombaci Massacre Victims Association and Kony War Victims leaders during a press conference organized in Arua city ahead of the 45th commemoration anniversary of Ombaci massacre

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

The West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network (WE-CAN), in partnership with the Ombaci Massacre Victims Association, has renewed calls for comprehensive compensation for all war victims in the West Nile region.

This appeal coincides with the upcoming 45th anniversary of the Ombaci Massacre, which occurred on June 24, 1981.

The region has historically experienced multiple massacres, as evidenced by mass graves found in various locations such as Odramacaku, Anguowibo, Lokirakodo, Muni, Ewuata, Ringili and other areas.

The 45th commemoration is scheduled from June 18 to June 24, 2026, with H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to be the chief guest during the event at Ombaci.

This occasion not only memorializes the victims but also aims to rally regional efforts for justice and compensation.

Richard Andama, Executive Director of WE-CAN, called on the people of West Nile to unite and work together in profiling and advocating for compensation for all war victims in the region.

“We should work together and ensure that our people of West Nile are considered and compensated because the war was here and there was massive destructions and killings in the region. So, this has precipitated to another big thing we are going to have in West Nile that is the 45th commemoration anniversary of Ombaci massacre which has become a historic and tourist site in the region” he said.

Veronica Eyotaru, secretary of the Ombaci Massacre Saviors Association, confirmed that representatives from various victim associations across West Nile have been invited to participate in the commemoration, fostering a collective remembrance and advocacy platform.

“We have come together with Odramacaku, Muni, Ewuata, Ringili and others and Ombaci massacre as the umbrella under WE-CAN. We are organizing the event together which will take place in Ombaci where the massacre occurred to remember the day and the people who were affected by the massacre” Eyotaru said.

Meanwhile, Alex Matua, chairperson of the West Nile Konyi War Victims Association, pledged the association’s full support during the event and urged stakeholders to collaborate with government efforts to ensure victims receive due compensation.

“We shall be there for the whole week with our banners and manila cards to celebrate the day as we shall work together to present this issues to government collectively by holding our hands together until we achieve the demands of compensation of war victims in the region” Matua pledged.

The organizing committee has allocated a budget of 500 million Ugandan shillings for the event, which features a series of pre-commemoration activities starting on June 18, including, cultural and sports festivities, a two-day youth conference engaging regional youth and various peace runs covering distances of 2km, 3km, 5km, and 10km to promote peace initiatives.

Delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan have also been invited.

In a letter dated October 27, 2025, President Museveni directed the Prime Minister and Attorney General to expedite the verification and payment process for victims.

Focus is placed on over 1,000 verified war victims, including those from the Kony War Victims, demanding over Shs 99 billion in compensation, alongside victims of the June 1981 Ombaci Massacre.