Barlonyo massacre victims still waiting for Museveni’s pledge
Lira- Survivors of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in Lira District are still waiting for President Museveni to fulfill some of the promises he made to them 14 years ago.
The LRA rebels on February 21,2004, attacked Barlonyo Internally Displaced Peoples’ (IDP) camp at Agweng Sub-county in Lira District and left more than 300 civilians dead.
Following the massacre, President Museveni, while addressing mourners at the victims’ mass burial, made promises to the affected people.
These included: construction of a health centre in Barlonyo in memory of the departed souls and establishment of a memorial school and a bridge.
However, the bridge and the school projects have been built with the former being dogged by accusations of shoddy work.
What victims say
Ms Harriet Ajok, a war survivor, said the President should be reminded that they are still waiting for him to fulfill his promise of constructing a health centre in Barlonyo.
Another war survivor, Ms Caroline Atim, wondered why it has taken the head of state more than 14 years to fulfill his promises.
Mr Jackson Opio lamented of how vulnerable and sick people, who cannot move long distances, are dying of malaria and diarrhoea in remote villages because of lack of a health facility.
According to the Agweng Sub-county chairperson, Mr Marino Ogang, the community has secured five acres of land opposite Barlonyo Market for the construction of the health centre.
“The land for construction of the health centre is already available. It is about five acres and the members of the community are only waiting for the President to fulfill his promise,” he said on Saturday.
Appeal
The Erute North Member of Parliament, Mr Charles Angiro Gutmoi, said the President was much aware of the pending promise.
The outgoing Resident District Commissioner of Lira, Mr Robert Abak, said the government would soon fulfill the promise.
“The President is aware of this promise but I only appeal to the community to be patient,” he said.
The Senior Presidential Press Secretary, Mr Don Wanyama, could not comment on why the President has not yet fulfilled the Barlonyo promises as he was attending a presidential function.
Barlonyo has a population of about 4,000 people and access to healthcare services is still a challenge.
Residents in Barlonyo often trek more than 10 kilometres to Ogur Health Centre IV in search of medical services and treatment.
