Rwenzori MPs want ADF victims compensated

Members of Parliament hailing from the Rwenzori sub-region have asked the Government to compensate people who were affected by the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) insurgency in their region.

“Our people are wondering why they have never been compensated for atrocities committed against them by the ADF insurgency yet other people in other regions are being compensated. Does the government want us to go to court so that they can compensate our people," said  Bughendera County Member of Parliament Acrobat Kiiza 

He reported that the Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Kasese, and Bunyangabu districts were highly affected by the ADF but no single person has been compensated.

During a meeting with ministers from the office of the Prime Minister,  Richard Gafabusa, the Bwamba county Legislator, said that President Yoweri Museveni visited the home of the late Sebastian Byaruhanga from Bundingoma parish who was killed by the ADF.

Gafabusa said that he has written several letters and reports to the president to remind him of the pledges he made but no response has been gotten.

The concerned Rwenzori sub-region members of Parliament made the call on Monday while meeting the minister of state in charge of Luwero-Rwenzori affairs, Alice Kaboyo at the office of the Prime Minister.

“We also have victims of the Kichawamba massacre who up to date have not been compensated and even others have died,” said Margaret Muhanga Mugisa, the Member of Parliament for Fort Portal North Division in Fort Portal City who doubles as the Minister of State for Health in Charge of Primary Health Care.

On June 8, 1998, rebels affiliated with ADF rebels attacked the Uganda Technical Institute Kicwamba in Kabarole district and set three dormitories on fire, killing at least 80 students.

The ADF abducted another 100 students and destroyed other property including laboratories and school vehicles.

In a related development, the legislators are demanding that the government take action on the poor state of the Mityana-Mubende-Kyegegwa-Kyenjojo road because of its importance.

The Members of Parliament one after the other describe the state of the Mityana-Mubende-Kyegegwa-Kyenjojo road as a death trap, disaster and an impediment to the development of the country.

The MPs said that this road is critical in promoting tourism in the country because it leads to Fort Portal tourism city and beyond.

The minister convened the meeting to discuss ways of improving service delivery in the Rwenzori region amidst the meagre resources.

“I have heard all the issues, especially the ADF compensation, the bad state of the road and tea prices are key for the region and I will inform the president,” said Kaboyo.

Kaboyo called upon the MPs to unite and strategically involve themselves in the key focus areas as recommended by President Museveni to cause socio-economic transformation in the area.

Peace Mutuuzo, the woman MP for Bunyangabu district while speaking during the meeting said that although the people from Tooro are soft and rarely complain, they need to have their roads worked on for socio-economic transformation.

The MPs requested to meet the president to discuss the development of the Rwenzori sub-region as soon as possible.