The items include saucepans, mattresses, plates, two hoes each, cups, maize and bean seeds for plating, among other items. They were each also given 263,000 shillings.
11 former Allied Democratic Forces – ADF rebels have received resettlement
package from the Amnesty Commission.
The items include saucepans, mattresses, plates, two hoes each,
cups, maize and bean seeds for plating, among other items. They were each also
given 263,000 shillings.
The beneficiaries are from the districts of Bundibugyo, Kagadi,
Ntoroko and Kabarole.
During an event held at Lilly’s Paradise in Fort Portal
town on Friday, Thomas Kisembo, the commissioner Amnesty Commission in-charge Rwenzori
sub-region noted that the items and money are meant to help the former rebels recover
economically and socially.
Kisembo said that the commission is still looking for any person
or group of people who could have returned from any rebel group and want to be granted amnesty.
He explained that with the certificates, the returnees can be
helped with resettlement items, money, and be enrolled on a number of programmes.
//Cue in: “So I appeal…
Cue out… other than rebellion.”//
Joseph Mugumbe, appreciated the items and money. He
recalled that he was abducted in 2009 while coming from Itojo Primary School in
Ntoroko district, and taken to Congo.
He says that while in Congo, he was mistreated and starved by
senior ADF rebels until Uganda People’s Defence Forces attacked the rebels in
2011 at Lamia and managed to escape back to Uganda.
//Cue in “Ebyokulya byabo…
Cue out… life eri kurungi.”//
Ahaisibwe Odirah from Kagadi narrated that she was abducted in
2000 to join ADF.
However, she also says that she was able to escape in
2001.
Since the enactment of the Amnesty Act in 2000, the
commission has given Amnesty certificates to 28,000 former rebels.
Kisembo notes that they up to date receive new people who want to
be granted amnesty.
