Acholi -LRA War Victims Seek Compensation from Government

Gulu, Uganda: A group of war victims of the Lord's Resistance Army rebel in Northern Uganda is pursuing compensation from the government for the losses and injuries they endured during the conflict. 

The majority of these victims are reportedly carrying bullets and shrapnel from bombs within their bodies, asserting that financial compensation would facilitate their medical treatment.

 Odong Patrick Hanningtone, the Chairperson of the Land Mines Survivors in Koch-goma sub-county, Nwoya district, revealed that he still has seven bullets lodged in his body that require surgical removal.

Odong recounted being shot 13 times in 2002 while driving on the Gulu-Kitgum road, with six bullets already extracted, leaving him with seven remaining. 

He noted that organizations such as World Vision and the Foundation for Justice and Development Initiative (FJDI) have provided him with some medical assistance.

He made these statements during a recent meeting of war victims' stakeholders organized by FJDI in Gulu City, where he urged the government to compensate the victims for their injuries and the loss of life. The group is currently preparing a document to formally petition the government regarding this issue.

Ms. Eyotaru Veronica, a survivor of the 1981 Ombaci Massacre in Arua district, shared that she still has a bullet in her thigh, which requires urgent medical care. She explained that the bullet has caused paralysis in her leg, severely limiting her mobility. Additionally, she emphasized the need for government compensation for the over 400 lives lost during the massacre, which was allegedly perpetrated by soldiers of the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA).

Meanwhile, Lino Owor Ogora, the Director of the Foundation for Justice and Development Initiative, stated that they are collaborating with more than 20 victims' associations across greater Northern Uganda to seek justice for these individuals.

 He further mentioned that over the past five years, they have supported numerous victims' groups in various areas, including livelihoods and medical assistance. 

He then revealed that they are working collectively to formulate a reparations demand for the victims.