Minister AkelloAkori Calls for Inclusion of Ex-LRA Fighters in Northern Uganda Recovery Programmes
By Tayari Media Uganda
Gulu City–The Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Hon. Beatrice Akello Akori, has called for deliberate inclusion of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) combatants and other war-affected communities in government recovery and livelihood programmes.
Minister Akello made the call while speaking during a workshop organised by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalization (GWED-G) at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City.
The organisations work with victims and affected communities to pursue acknowledgment and redress for human rights violations, promote accountability and strengthen institutions to prevent recurrence of violence.
Addressing participants, Akello said government is already supporting rehabilitation and reintegration of former LRA combatants and post-conflict returnees.
She revealed that 65 former combatants are currently undergoing rehabilitation in Gulu, with the process being closely monitored through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
“Government has put in place several interventions to address the legacies of war,” she said.
She noted that Northern Uganda continues to grapple with the socio-economic consequences of prolonged conflict and cattle rustling, including loss of lives, displacement, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of livelihoods, which have contributed to persistent poverty in the region.
Akello said government has responded through affirmative-action programmes including the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP), the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) and cattle-restocking initiatives. She said government is now advancing NUSAF IV, designed to strengthen livelihoods, reduce poverty and improve resilience among vulnerable communities.
She said government intends to ensure that intended beneficiaries, including people directly affected by conflict, are not left out of programmes such as NUSAF IV, the Parish Development Model (PDM), cattle restocking and other livelihood interventions.
According to Akello, the OPM will work closely with organisations such as GWED-G and ICTJ to identify and support eligible former combatants and other war-affected people to participate in socio-economic empowerment programmes.
She urged beneficiaries to organise themselves into enterprise groups to access support and emphasised that beneficiary selection must be transparent and free from corruption.
“The selection process will involve close coordination with Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) to ensure fairness,” she said.
She further called on former combatants and other vulnerable communities to embrace enterprise development and use government support to rebuild sustainable livelihoods.
The Office of the Prime Minister has listed resettlement and support of former LRA combatants and other war-affected groups among its key interventions for Northern Uganda.
IN SUMMARY:
Minister for Northern Uganda, Hon. Beatrice Akello Akori, has called for inclusion of former LRA combatants in gov’t recovery programmes like NUSAF IV, PDM & cattle restocking.
65 ex-combatants are currently under rehabilitation in Gulu – OPM.
She was speaking at ICTJ & GWED-G workshop at Bomah Hotel, Gulu.
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