WEST NILE KONY WAR VICTIMS DEMOSTRATE OVER ALLEGED SABOTAGE OF THEIR EFFORTS BY ARUA RCC

 

Kony war victims addressing media at Mayors gardens in Arua city

By Drici Patrick

Arua City
 
Over 100 members of the West Nile Kony War Victims Association today staged a peaceful demonstration in Arua City over the ongoing grievances concerning unfulfilled compensation for the losses suffered during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in Northern Uganda.
 
The victims accuse the government of Uganda of neglecting their plight, especially when contrasting their situation with other regions such as Acholi, Lango, and Teso, where victims received compensation for cattle lost amid conflicts.
 
They feel abandoned after more than 20 years without redress, despite promises made by authorities.
 
The protesters blame the resident city commissioner of Arua, Salim Kumakech, for allegedly sabotaging their efforts and for making comments during “West Nile We Want” Program at Radio Pacis that seemed to undermine their demands.
 
“There is corruption here that name of late Abiriga, where is the list? We want to see the names because there is a fake list left by late Abiriga. Fake from all Oli here” one of the protesters said.
 
“Yet they kill our people of West Nile, why is he not paying us? Why? Let him tell us the truth” another protester echoed.
 
“Automatically we shall not vote for N.R.M because we vote to satisfy, we vote for some people to benefit other people but what we are demanding for is ours. We want it to be recovered” another member asserted.
 
“It is the politicians, our politicians from westnile, they are the ones blocking us because of selfish interests” someone accused.

Kony war victims matching from Mayor's gardens to RCC'S Office
 
Their anger was further fueled by perceived government bias, which they believe favors victims from other regions.
 
The victims have expressed their disappointment in the government’s lack of tangible action, despite visits by officials from State House and Military Intelligence, who examined documents in hopes of facilitating compensation.
 
However, no progress has been reported, and the victims remain without updates regarding their claims.
 
The situation escalated following the demonstration, which coincided with political tensions, as the victims threatened to support opposition candidates in upcoming elections if their demands were not met.
 
The protest was temporarily calmed by Swadick Angupale, the deputy resident city commissioner, who pledged to escalate their concerns and convene emergency meetings with the leadership of the demonstrators.
 
“I will not talk much but I had a rumor that Arua city RCC is keeping fake list of Kony war victims from the leaders which I will  submit to the intelligence for verification to get genuine members to avoid confusion,” he said.
 
Additionally, the accused resident city commissioner has been transferred, further complicating the efforts to resolve their claims.
 
The victims’ plight exposes longstanding grievances related to unfulfilled promises and neglect by the government concerning rehabilitation and compensation following the LRA conflict.
 
Despite official visits and promises, the victims remain hopeful that increased political pressure and continued advocacy will eventually lead to justice and acknowledgment of their suffering.