The government of Uganda is set to pay around Ugx 5.1 billion to 4,901 ex-combatants of the defunct West Nile Bank Front (WNBF), Uganda National Rescue Front I (UNRFI), and some of the few remaining cases of Uganda National Rescue Front II (UNRFII) as a resettling package.
While speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on May 3, 2024, the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru, said that the government signed peace agreements with various defunct groups, including the WNBF, UNRFI, and a few members of UNFRII, and has to compensate them.
“Although an amicable end to the rebellion was reached, a peace dividend was pledged, which the government is ready to fulfill as a resettlement package for the ex-combatants,” Oleru said.
In her speech, Oleru stated that the cabinet approved the funds on April 25, 2024, to settle WNBF this financial year, while approximately Ugx 21 billion to UNRFI and a few members of UNRFII will be catered for in the budget of the financial year 2024/2025.
According to the minister, the commencement of payments worth Ugx 5.1 billion is to be launched, adding that the official payment will commence on May 8, 2024, in Koboko district, where the verified 4,901 ex-combatants will receive their pay and cover other districts like Pakwach, Zombo, Nebbi, Madi-Okolo, Arua,Maracha, Terego, Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo, and Adjumani.
“Fellow Ugandans, in the history of Uganda, it is the NRM government that has prioritized and is committed to the payment of all eligible military veterans and a group of individuals eligible for compensation for the sake of peace and harmony and co-cohesion for the development of socio-economic transformation,” Oleru added.
The groups in question were Uganda National Rescue Front I (UNRFI) under the leadership of Maj Gen Ali Bamuze, Uganda National Rescue Front II under Brig Nasuru Ezaga, and the West Bank Front under Maj Gen Juma Oris Abdallah.
