Surrendered LRA Fighters Return to Uganda after Peace Talks
14 LRA rebel fighters, along with their wives and children, voluntarily surrendered to the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) in the Central African Republic (CAR). Following peace talks facilitated by the Embassies of the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands and Belgium, these repatriated insurgents were welcomed back to Uganda by high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister. The government expressed a willingness to offer amnesty to all rebel fighters who surrender, while vowing to take strong action against those who continue to resist.
The former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and their family members have been repatriated to Uganda after surrendering to the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) in the Central African Republic (CAR). The repatriated insurgents include 14 LRA rebel fighters, 14 of their wives and their 33 children.
The returnees arrived at Entebbe Air Base on Saturday 22nd July 2023 aboard Bar Aviation aircraft. They were received by the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, Minister for Defense and Veteran affairs, Vincent Ssempijja, top UPDF generals and Acholi parliamentary group among other dignitaries.
The repatriated rebels were returned to Uganda following peace talks spearheaded by the Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands and the Embassy of Belgium.
Nabbanja said after the peace talks, Uganda worked closely with the Central African Republic, where most LRA rebels established themselves after the UPDF flushed them out of Northern Uganda, to bring them home.
“The return and surrender of some of the LRA rebels to the government is in line with the country’s vision of a united Uganda for all Ugandans,” said Nabbanja.
“The government is ready to welcome and offer amnesty to all rebel fighters and those who are unwilling to surrender, the UPDF will smash them without any mercy,” she added.
“I commend the UPDF, repatriation technical team, the embassy of Royal Kingdom of Netherlands, Belgium Embassy in Uganda, our neighbours the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan governments for facilitating the Juba peace talk process which saw the LRA rebels surrender to UPDF before being repatriated to Uganda,” said the premier.
Nabbanja noted that the government of Uganda through her office will do the needful to ensure the repatriated rebels are peacefully integrated and resettled in their respective communities.
“I encourage all of you who thought it wise to abandon rebel activities and surrender to the government to join fellow Ugandans to develop your country,” said the Prime Minister.
“The government of Uganda will not relent to restore peace in the country, and it’s determined to crack down whoever attempts to destabilise national security,” She added.
After being driven out of Uganda in the mid 2000s, the Lord’s Resistance Army camped in Eastern Congo before fleeing further to the Central African Republic.
The LRA is said to have 200 to 1,000 fighters left in scattered groups, who presumably have no close contact with commander Kony.
In 2022, the U.S. government announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army for crimes against humanity and war crimes. These crimes include mass killings, torture, and forcing children to become soldiers.
On his part, defence Minister Ssempijja noted that in total the returnees were supposed to be 61 but unfortunately one of the ladies developed labour pains just a few minutes to boarding the plane and she was left in the hands of UPDF medical team for safe delivery and that she would soon join her husband and children who are already repatriated to Uganda.
Minister Ssempijja revealed that the second batch of 105 LRA rebel fighters together with their families would be repatriated soon.
Minister Ssempijja hailed LRA commander in Central African Republic Maj. Gen. Doktor Acaye, for easing the work of the UPDF by accepting to surrender through his cordial friendship with the local leadership and militia groups around there.
“Indeed, he played a pivotal role in convincing some of his fellow rebels to surrender. I call upon all legislators to join this exercise to convince all those who are still engaged in the rebellion’’, said Sempijja.
