West Nile
Resettlement of internally displaced people in Amuru District has been temporarily halted due to renewed military attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
After news of LRA killings, residents have refused to return home, opting to stay in the camps in case of renewed attacks on their villages.
Although the army has said the war will not spill over to the once war-torn zone, the people, who have suffered the burden, say they will not take any chances.
Mr Daniel Onen, 22, of Mutema IDP camp, who was previously abducted by the rebels said, “I cannot imagine another day in LRA rebel captivity. My whole life was almost wasted while I was there.”
Mr Onen was abducted while he was nine in 1994 by the LRA and only managed to return in 2004. He was among the lucky few to be rescued by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and handed over to the United Nations offices in Sudan from where he was brought to Gulu.
While in captivity, Mr Onen was hit by a land mine that left him handicapped. He now depends on his family for survival.
“Thirteen years of my life were wasted, I have no education and now I have one leg.”
Ms Grace Adongpiny from Olwal IDP camp says, “My children will remain in our hut in the camp as I go to the village. I could never forgive myself if they were abducted.”
One of Ms Adongpiny’s children was abducted and has never returned.
The Koch Goma Sub-county chairperson, Mr John Bosco Okullu, said the renewed offensive has brought a lot of uncertainty about the prevailing peace.
“Residents in my sub-county are returning home but they are leaving their huts in the camp awaiting the outcome of the LRA attack,” he said.
The UPDF 4th division spokesperson, Capt. Ronald Kakurungu, said there is no need for people to worry because the army is ready to protect them.
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