In the year 2021/2022, the Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Jackson Kafuuzi, reported to the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurance that out of 38,225 submissions from various districts, 30,339 submissions had been reviewed.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has requested the leaders of the Acholi War Debt Claimants Association (AWDCA) to update the records in their war compensation files. This update is necessary to include 5,733 claimants who were inadvertently left out.
Mr. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Attorney General, confirmed that AWDCA leaders had brought this issue to his attention. He mentioned that if claimants provide the necessary records, they would be included on the compensation list. He also stated that individuals requiring verification would undergo the verification process to ensure fairness.
Previously, the Office of the Attorney General had verified a total of 16,946 claimants. Among these, Gulu and Omoro districts had the highest number of claimants at 4,927, followed by Agago with 3,393, Nwoya with 1,995, Kitgum with 1,983, Amuru with 1,470, and Lamwo with 1,408.
It’s important to note that the latest figures from the AWDCA compensation committee, led by retired Justice Galdino Okello Moro, differ from the government’s figures. The committee, established in November 2020, reviewed the process and discovered irregularities. They identified more than 5,700 missing claimants.
Mr. Moro explained that when they requested the Attorney General’s office to display the verified list, it was declined, with the Attorney General claiming that the verification had already been done in 2016.
Subsequently, the committee compiled its list, totaling 21,266 claimants, which included 5,733 claimants whose names were not on the Attorney General’s list. Those missing from the list were asked to submit their original claim forms and supporting documents, which they did.
As of the closure of the financial year 2021/2022, Deputy Attorney General Mr. Jackson Kafuuzi reported that 20,727 claimants had received compensation totaling UGX 50 billion. However, the government still requires an additional UGX 2 trillion to compensate the remaining war debt claimants.