Government is set to compensate 4,901 veterans of West Nile Bank Front (WNBF), a defunct rebel group in West Nile, Eagle Online has learnt.
The fall of the Amin regime in 1979 led to the rise of insurgencies, some of which spilled into the post-1986 liberation period. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s signed peace agreements with the various defunct rebel groups in west Nile except the WNBF. An amicable end to the rebellion was reached with a pledge of Peace Dividend and combatants.
The groups include Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRFI), led by Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali; Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRFII) led by Maj. Gen. Ali Bamuze; Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRFIII) led by Brig Nasuru Ezaga; National Resistance Army, West Nile Front, which was by Maj Muhamuddu Lambe and West Nile Bank Front (WNBF) led by Maj Gen Juma Oris Abdallah.
According to Huda Oleru Abason, the State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, with the exception of UNRFI, WNBF and a few remaining members of UNRFII, claims that in the west Nile sub-region, the cabinet of April 25, 2024, approved Shs21 billion to UNRFI and other residual individuals from UNRFII to be paid in the budget for fiscal year 2024/25.
The initial step in the process of effecting the payments commenced with the mobilisation of ex-combatants in the West Nile districts of Pakwach, Zombo,Nebbi, Madi-Okolo, Arua, Arua City, Maracha, Terego, Koboko, Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo and Adjumani.
The mobilisation was followed by the verification of the ex-combatants of the WNBF, which was completed through the security ministry. A verified schedule of 4901 ex-combatants was subsequently approved for payment to absorb a budget of Shs5.1 billion, which was raised from the budget of the defence in FY2023/2024.
“The commencement of the payment of Shs5.1 billion for the Peace Dividend of the WNBF is to be launched next week in Koboko District on May 8, 2024, and shall benefit 4,901 ex-combatants,” the minister said.
