Reintegration of ex-abductees failing - activists

Gulu.

Although the long insurgency in the north ended seven years ago, reintegration of former internally displaced and abducted people remains a challenge to many.

During an annual event dubbed “creating a voice for women volunteer action network” in partnership with Women Global and empowerment this week, many speakers appealed to the government for intervention to expedite the realisation of the reintegration programme.

Mr Muusa Bukenya, the executive director of Volunteer Action Network, a local NGO, asked the government to improve the reintegration process in the war affected regions.

“There are no follow ups in finding out how the former IDPs and those who returned from captivity are coping with life at the return sites,” he said.

Mr Bukenya acknowledged the government has put up infrastructure, but said many of them have not benefited the local people.

“Health centres have no drugs, government programmes only benefit particular groups depending on which political party you support. A lot of psychosocial support is still wanting,” he said.
Mr Bukenya said some people returned to their homes where they facing hostility and stigma.

The Woman MP for Gulu District, Ms Betty Aol Ocan, said although there is infrastructural development in the region, there are other critical challenges that must be addressed.

“Who can make use of the infrastructures with ailing health?” she asked. “The time is now to carry out a thorough follow up on reintegration.”

Presidential adviser on Acholi sub-region Santa Oketta advised former IDPs and abductees to petition Parliament and demanding full reintegration.

In 2013, billions of shillings for reconstruction of the war-ravaged northern region were misappropriated by officials in the Office of the Prime Minister, which is implementing the programme.

lra insurgency
The long insurgency in the north left about 1.5 million people dead, tens of thousands displaced or abducted into rebel captivity.