Former LRA abductees in Gulu to enrol for Emyooga, PDM
The group are set to begin a comprehensive one-year and eight-month rehabilitation program at the former SOS facility in Gulu City following their successful repatriation from Juba, South Sudan.
The group comprises of eight males, four females, and two children were received at the office of the Prime Minister in Gulu City. (Credit: Rasik Kenneth Kothari)
GULU - The state minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Beatrice Akello Okori, has announced that 12 recently repatriated Lord’s Resistance Army former abductees will be enrolled on foundational socio-economic programs, including the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, to ease their transition back into civilian life.
The minister's plan was announced on Friday by Ambrose Onoria, the Pece-Laroo Division Resident City Commissioner, during a formal reception for the returnees.
The events took place at the OPM regional office in Gulu City.
The minister commended the group of eight men, four woman and their two children for their resilience after their successful escape from captivity in the Central African Republic in 2025.
The group are set to begin a comprehensive one-year and eight-month rehabilitation program at the former SOS facility in Gulu City following their successful repatriation from Juba, South Sudan.
Escape and Military Coordination Across Borders.
One of the returnees, whose identity has been concealed, explained that they managed to break away from the captivity of LRA leader Joseph Kony in 2025.
Navigating treacherous forest terrain from the Central African Republic later sought refuge in South Sudan. Upon crossing the border, they were secured and supported by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces with assistance from the Government of South Sudan before their formal repatriation.
Resident City Commissioner Ambrose Onoria speaking during the ceremony to welcome the LRA returnees in Gulu City. (Credit: Rasik Kenneth Kothari)
Lieutenant Colonel Alex Abyoona, the UPDF Commander in South Sudan who led the homecoming delegation, commended the South Sudanese authorities for their dedicated care of the returnees and challenged the survivors to use their experiences to persuade former colleagues still hiding in the bush to abandon rebellion.
Community leaders call for reconciliation and peace advocacy
Martin Okumu, the Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi cultural institution, urged the LRA survivors to serve as ambassadors of peace, while praising development partner Terra Renaissance for providing the critical psychosocial support and vocational training needed for their recovery.
Echoing the call for reconciliation, Sheikh Musa Khalil, the Regional Assistant Mufti for Northern Uganda and Vice Chairperson of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative, applauded the government's sustained reliance on dialogue and peaceful engagement to foster regional stability over the last three decades.