A group of 117 individuals with past involvement in rebel activities were recently handed over to local authorities in West Nile for reintegration. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), under the Department of the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), facilitated this process.
During a reception ceremony at Ssese playgrounds in Yumbe district, Brig Gen Michael Kabango, the commander of the 4th division, disclosed that 91 of the individuals were previously based in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The remaining 26 were part of a group active in the Eastern part of Yumbe district, particularly in the sub-counties of Romogi and Kochi.
The Yumbe group had been associated with gangs terrorizing the local community since 2022. These individuals were involved in activities such as looting animals, robbing properties, and forcibly recruiting people into rebel activities. Brig Gen Kabango noted that this group was responsible for the death of a UPDF officer during a pursuit last year.
Despite their past actions, Kabango announced the pardon of the 26 individuals from the Yumbe group during his speech at the ceremony. He emphasized that the majority of the returnees hailed from Yumbe district, with some coming from other districts in West Nile.
According to Kabango, many of the returnees were deceived by promises of jobs before being coerced into joining rebel groups in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon surrendering, they handed over various military equipment, including 14 guns, army uniforms, and ammunition.
Kabango urged the returnees to take advantage of government programs such as the parish development model, Emyooga, and operation wealth creation for their reintegration into society.
One of the returnees, Hillary Nsubuga Bakongo, expressed gratitude for being able to return home. He explained that he was compelled to join rebel activities due to threats to his life and loss of land by a security officer. Bakongo called for government intervention to address the underlying issues that lead people to join rebel groups.
Emme Mitala, the Resident District Commissioner for Koboko, commended the government for facilitating the return and integration of individuals from West Nile. However, he urged further investigation into individuals exploiting the situation for personal gain.
Abdulmutalib Asiku, the Yumbe district LC 5 chairperson, highlighted the region’s history of insecurity and emphasized the need for peace and development. He urged the populace to focus on wealth creation rather than conflict.
John Bosco Tumwesige, the Resident District Commissioner for Yumbe, encouraged the returnees to participate in government programs for their economic empowerment. He assured them of support and priority access to resources for entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation initiatives.
