By Alfred Wasike
and Ali Mao

FAMILIES who lost their relatives to the LRA terror will be compensated. That was announced by President Yoweri Museveni at the closure of a two-day leadership seminar at Adwari Secondary School in Otuke county, Lira District.

“We are going to compensate the victims of LRA terrorism in northern Uganda. Those families who lost their relatives, those whose lips, ears and noses were cut off by the LRA will be compensated as part of mato oput (reconciliation),” Museveni said to thunderous applause.

“There is no way we can resettle the terrorists and ignore the victims of the LRA. But to achieve this goal, we are going to raise money from here (Uganda) and from our friends abroad.”

The President, who was hosted by lands minister Omara Atubo, rubbished claims that he or his government had grabbed land in the North.

“There is this nonsense I am hearing that the Government or Museveni has grabbed your land. I am a big land owner in Rwakitura. How can somebody with lobo madwong (lots of land) grab your land?”

He stressed that according to the constitution land belongs to the people.

“Uganda is the only country in East Africa where it says land belongs to the people. You came from IDP camps and returned to your land. Is that not so?” he asked the cheering audience.

On leadership, the topic of the workshop, he lashed out at politicians who were telling lies to win elections.

“Do something about the political leaders who go to radios and tell lies that the government is taking your land. We introduced a new type of politics. Our leadership comes through elections, not witchcraft or guns. All of us, from the LC1 up to me, are elected by the people. So the conduct of leadership should be a new one. You should not use goba (lies) to get votes from wananchi (locals). A leader who is a liar is a disaster to the community.”

He attributed the improved security in the north to increased military capacity of the army, noting that the place had already been largely pacified before the Juba peace talks.

“We had a weak army because those governments had no time to build an army. Some people say that Museveni has been in power for a long time. That is a very good thing because I have had the time to complete building the army. Problems like Kony, cattle rustlers are things of the past. Kuc (peace) is here to stay because good politics and a strong army are in place,” he stressed.
The President went on explaining that the problem of the Karimojong rustlers started when they got hold of guns.

“Cattle rustling came here in 1979 when the government of Amin collapsed. The Matheniko went to Moroto barracks and looted guns.

“The guns ended up into the hands of ignorant people. Those guns spoilt them. They now even fire at our gunships but we are now disarming them.”

Reacting to a request of the local leaders on the district status of Otuke and Moroto counties, the President said: “I have seen the area is far from Lira town, I will not launch a jihad (holy war) against the idea. Just follow the procedure and I will support you.”

Museveni was accompanied by ministers David Wakikona, Dorothy Hyuha, Michael Werikhe, Urban Tibamanya and Kasirivu Atwoki.