Former LRA combatants return home

The State Minister for Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny applauded the ex-combatants for their decision to abandon rebellion and return home.

“Thank you for making that good decision and, as they say, East or West home is best, and thank you for keeping the Ugandan culture because almost all of you can speak Acholi language,” Minister Kwiyucwiny said.

The minister hailed President Yoweri Museveni and all government leaders for facilitating the returnees to come back home.

“The President didn’t bring you home to suffer but to enjoy the peace and live a good life. Our government doesn’t segregate, discriminate and it will look after you as any other citizen of this country,” the minister added.

She also told Ex LRA combatants that the government has prepared amnesty for them and cautioned them against engaging in bad acts that will see them dragged to the Courts of Law.

The Fourth Infantry Division Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. John Musoke, who represented the Division commander, thanked the key players who enabled the ex-LRA combatants to return home.

Brig. Gen. Musoke assured them of their safety and security and urged the parents to keep advising their children and called upon the leaders to sensitize the citizens for a better Uganda.

The Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese John Baptist Odama called upon the people to forgive the ex-LRA combatants because they are their children and encouraged all the people to live in peace and harmony.

On behalf of the returnees, Doctor Ocaya commended the Government of Uganda and the UPDF leadership for bringing them back home. “It was not willingness to be in the bush, we ask for total forgiveness and we have come back with one heart to stay with you in peace,” Ocaya said.

The returnees are set to receive support from APRU Pax, an NGO based in Gulu, which pledged to give them food, medical attention, and other necessities.