Kony war victims ready for dialogue with govt over compensation

KONY | LRA |

The Kony war victims and survivors under their umbrella Arua district Kony War Victims Association who have been upset with the government for failing to compensate them over 10 years after lodging their claim are ready to convene for a dialogue with the government over the issue of their compensation.

The decision was reached after a meeting with the Resident City Commissioner Arua and Member of Parliament for Ayivu Constituency on Tuesday who advised the group to pursue the matter through their leadership structures.

The registered victims from Arua city, Terego, Arua, Koboko, Madi Okollo, and Maracha districts numbering up to over 1260 have in a letter dated September 21, 2020, under section 2 of civil procedure and limitation (miscellaneous provisions) Act served the Attorney General on behalf of the government with Statutory Notice of Intention to sue and consequently filed a civil suit in Arua High court.

Alex Matua, the chairman Kony War Victims Association, blames the leaders from the region for letting them down during their pursuit for compensation.

"We prepared a document and handed it over to Simon Ejua, who was state minister for transport by then and we even went to meet Tarsis Kabwegyere and he ordered minister Ejua to follow-up with him but up to now, he has never come back to us," Matua said.

He adds that in 2017 the same information with the list of victims was handed to Hon. Gabriel Aridru when he was the state minister for investment but to date, no feedback was given, which made them understand that their document and grievances they raised did not reach the president.

Matua says, the association members who have unanimously agreed not to campaign or vote for his excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni unless their grievances are heard and money paid to them before elections, have reverted their decision saying, despite the matter being in courts of law, they are open for any negotiation with the government regarding their pay just like it did for people in other regions.

He says, Kony war victims in other regions have been adequately compensated except those in West Nile, which they have seen as marginalization.

Michael Dramadri, a 57-year-old victim says, some dubious and self-centered people are trying to politicize their genuine concern to the government and the president in particular by alleging that Kony war victims are contributing money to support certain candidates.




"We heard that the president was willing to pay our money but some cheap politicians went to lobby Hon. Anite to ensure that the president does not meet us," Dramadri said.

Bernard Atiku, the Member of Parliament for Ayivu constituency equally shared the pain of the victims, having lost his own relatives to the insurgency, however, he faults the leadership of the victims for not formally addressing the matter before them for follow-up.

"The story of Kony war victims is not just a concoction to extort money from the government; this is a reality that everyone saw," Atiku confirms.

"I am going to help link the victims with the government through dialogue and ensure that they are assisted," Atiku added.

According to Atiku, the Kony war greatly affected the growth of the West Nile region as it directly impacted the livelihood of the people such as businessmen, and educationists among others.

He, however, urges the members to avoid confrontation with the government but rather embrace dialogue.

Nahori Oya Awua, the Resident City Commissioner Arua while meeting with the group said, he was part of the team fighting for the compensation of Kony War Victims.

According to him, Peter Debele, his predecessor forwarded the matter to the responsible persons and what is left is the follow-up.

"I encourage you to follow the right channels, I know going to court does not mean that you are anti-government but it was due to failure to get justice and due to frustration," Oya advised

Oya pledged to follow up the matter with the office of the president and is hopeful that the victims will have a smile once again.

The victims are seeking compensation of sh99.8b