Govt compensates Acholi for war losses

By Charles Mukiibi

About 18,000 out of the 19,000 members of Acholi War Debt Claimants Association, who have been verified by a Government’s team, will soon get their long awaited-compensation for the cattle they lost during the insurgency in the north.

The association’s chairman, Noah Opwonya, on Monday said the association issued cheques of sh500m to each district office to start the compensation exercise.
    
He added that each of the seven districts in the Acholi sub-region had received a cheque.

The cheques were given during a function in Lamwo town council.

Opwonya said the money would be deposited on their member’s accounts towards the end of this week.

He noted that the compensation delayed due to controversy and disagreements brought about by some members and the former executive members.

He said the money will be shared among members, while the board continues to follow up on the additional money, which is still with the Ministry of Finance.

Maj. Ronald Kakooza Mutale, the senior presidential assistant and director of special duty in the President’s Office, kicked off the compensation exercise that was attended by representatives from all the seven districts in Acholi.

Mutale represented President Yoweri Museveni at the function.

“The President wants every claimant to get something. Each of the seven districts will get sh500m for their claims. That is our starting point, but the bigger amount of money will come later,” he said.

Mutale said if the money is shared among the members without any complaint and cases of corruption, the Government will automatically send more money to the association.

“The Government will not be blamed if this money is mismanaged,” Mutale said

The presidential adviser said he was surprised to hear that some members of the Lango community, who did not even sue the Government for any loss, walked away with sh10b meant for Acholi War Debt Claimants Association.

He applauded Opwonya for traversing Acholi, asking for reconciliation with the Government and following up on the issue of compensation for the war claimants.