The demobilization and resettlement officer with Amnesty Commission Henry Basaliza told URN that the Amnesty Commission is working with other partners to train the ex-ADF rebels in interlocking stabilized soil block-ISSB technology, craft making and tailoring for economic integration.
Former fighters of the Allied Democratic
Forces –ADF in Kasese district are undergoing technology and skills development training lessons, thanks to the Amnesty Commission.
The three-day
training taking place at Nadir preparatory school in Mumbuzi cell, Nyakasanga
Division has attracted over ADF reporters from the districts of Kasese,
Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu and Ntoroko.
Rwenzori region, the former base of the Allied Democratic
Forces has remained a volatile area despite the repulsion of the ADF out of
Uganda decades ago. And, the re-occurrence of conflict has partially been blamed on the presence of reductant ex-combatants
who are being exploited by wrong elements.
Henry Basaliza, a demobilization and resettlement officer with Amnesty Commission told URN that the Amnesty Commission is working with other partners to train
the ex-ADF rebels in interlocking stabilized soil block technology, craft
making and tailoring for economic integration.
He adds that
the training will equip the selected group with skills that they will pass on
to others for community development.
//Cue in; “You’re
going to…
Cue out…to
the bush.”//
Basaliza added that the training is also part of the process for the reintegration of
former rebels and host communities. The project will be spread to other areas
in the country.
//Cue in;
“This is the beginning…
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poverty.”//
Msgr.
Timothy Kisembo Apuuli who heads the western Region says that after the training; the government will procure brickmaking machines for
the trainees.
//Cue in; "But
also the...
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at home."//
Christine
Muhindo, the special presidential advisor on Rwenzori Affairs challenged the
ex-rebels to create peace within themselves and in the region, which has lost a lot to external conflicts. Muhindo is
optimistic that once the group has opportunities to work, they will have no
time to indulge in acts of war.
//Cue in;
“They have come…
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been losing.”//
Abdu
Katusabe Kyalimpa, one of the ex-rebels from Bundibugyo wants the government to
give them capital so that they can be in a position to start their own businesses.
Kyalimpa
says that he attained skills in a previous training in carpentry and joinery but has
failed to start due to lack of capital.
Luganda//Cue
in; “Ffe abasing obungi...
Cue out…bagamba
nti temisomwe.”//
Lubwisi//Cue
in; “Tukusa government etuyambe…
Cue out...natu
tutandikilala.”//
The Amnesty
Act has three main functions: providing amnesty to rebels who
renounce rebellion and give up arms, facilitating an institutionalized resettlement
and repatriation process and providing reintegration support, including skills
training for ex-combatants, and promoting reconciliation.
The act also
establishes an Amnesty Commission tasked with operationalizing the act that
including demobilizing legally armed soldiers. 27,000
reporters have been pardoned since the act was put in place.
