The second group of 16 Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Ex- fighters together with their families returned to the country from Central African Republic (CAR) after the first group that came on Saturday 22nd July from the same country.
These Ex-fighters and their families led by Langalanga Olango landed on the pearl of Africa on 15th August 2023 from CAR and were received by the State Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, UPDF officials, the Acholi parliamentary group among their family relatives from the Acholi region.
While at the welcome back dinner that was organized by the government of Uganda in Entebbe, the Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veterans Affairs, Hon Huda Abason Oleru appreciated His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,the President Republic of Uganda, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and his colleague, His Excellency Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the President of the Central African Republic for their visionary leadership, pan-African spirit, as well as the love for peace and stability in the African continent.
“The two leaders directed and continued to guide on the repatriation of the Ex-LRA fighters and their families back home from the jungles of the Central African Republic. Indeed, without their Pan African Vision, these Ex-LRA fighters and their families of Ugandan, Congolese, and Central African Republic nationalities would not have been repatriated considering their involvement in rebellion in Uganda and across some regional countries,” she added.
Oleru also remarked that there are still other small groups, which are in direct talks with the government of the Central African Republic, members of Uganda’s technical team, as well as other stakeholders such as PAX Netherlands, APRu, and MINUSCA and it is anticipated that very soon, they will also be repatriated back home.
She therefore welcome the Ex- LRA fighters and their families who were repatriated back home, saying that it is the beginning of a long process of reintegrating them and eventual resettlement into their respective communities, which requires a lot of patience.
“The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UPDF have played a key role in this exercise, and I request that other stakeholders in government, the International and national NGOs, as well as the civil society, religious leaders and traditional leaders, come into support to the reintegration and resettlement process of the ex-LRA fighters and their families who were misled for decades,” Oleru concluded.
Lt. Gen Charles Otema Awony the Commander of UPDF Reserve Forces on behalf of the UPDF in particular appreciated the support of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs which has played a critical role in ensuring this successive repatriation process.
Otema noted that the exercise would not have succeeded without the strategic and visionary leadership of the president and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces because it was his special directives for the process to commence, therefore the president’s Pan-Africanist spirit and a quest for peace and stability in the region cannot be overstated.
“Under his leadership, the President has time and again espoused forgiveness and reconciliation as the only way to attain sustainable peace and development in the country and the region at large.It is my sincere belief that the successful return of the twogroups under Achaye Doctor and Langalanga will send a clear message to other LRA combatants still in the wilderness but willing to renounce rebellion that the door is open for their voluntary return and rebuild their lives,” he added.
Ricky Richard Anywar the Agago west county legislator and vice chairperson of Acholi parliamentary group appreciated the government and other stakeholders that have fought for peace especially in northern Uganda and in a special way lauded Lt. Gen Charles Otema and Maj. Gen Richard Otto for their sacrifices just for peace to return in the region.
The Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Hon Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny lauded the two governments, the government of Uganda and that of the Central African Republic as well as the UPDF army for the great job well done in repatriating so far the two groups.
She also blessed a baby that was born during the return of the first group with all her names (Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny) and also promised to follow up on her life as well as giving a helping hand to her parents where necessary.
Franco Oloya a biological brother to Bosco Ochiti one of the LRA ex-fighters that were repatriated back to the country appreciated all the stakeholders that were in this process of returning their relatives home and also appealed to the government for support to these people in terms of resettlement funds and start-up capital for them to begin a new chapter.
The event was also attended by the Acholi region members of parliament including Margret Lamwaka of Chua East, David Lagen Atuka of Agago county, and Suzan Jolly Abeja of Otuke district among others who were also existed to welcome their beloved region members.
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