Gulu, Uganda: Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot David Onen Acana II has called on returnees from the Central African Republic (CAR) to unite and establish a Sacco aimed at fighting poverty and fostering self-reliance through community-based development.
Speaking at a reintegration ceremony held at the Acholi palace, Rwot Acana welcomed returnees with UGX 5 million in startup capital, urging them to use the funds as a springboard for collective economic transformation.
“We want to empower you to rebuild your lives and become self-sufficient,” Rwot Acana said. “This Sacco will not only provide financial support but also serve as a platform for you to come together, share ideas, and support one another. I’m confident that with this initiative, you’ll be able to overcome the challenges you’ve faced and thrive in our community.”
The Chief appealed to the Acholi community and leaders to embrace the returnees with compassion and help them heal from past trauma. “Let us ensure that our brothers and sisters who have returned are given the love, care, and support they need to rebuild their lives. We must help them put the memories of the bush behind them and focus on building a brighter future for themselves and their families.”
Rwot Acana also urged the government to facilitate the repatriation of more Acholi people still stranded in CAR and Kenya, stressing the importance of family reunification and reintegration into ancestral communities.
Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan commended the government’s role in equipping returnees with skills to support themselves post-rehabilitation. “The government’s initiative to equip returnees with skills is a game-changer,” she said. “It empowers them to rebuild their lives, become self-sufficient, and contribute to the community’s development.”
She further encouraged cultural leaders to play an active role in tracing family ties and helping returnees reconnect with loved ones. “Cultural leaders have a critical role to play in tracing family ties and helping returnees reconnect with their loved ones,” Aol said. “Your knowledge of our traditions, customs, and community networks makes you ideal facilitators in this process.”
Ms Ocan called for unity and inclusion across the Acholi sub-region. “I urge you to extend a helping hand to these returnees, ensuring they find love, support, and a sense of belonging in our communities.”
Moses Draku, Principal Communications Officer at the Amnesty Commission Uganda, clarified that while direct financial support is no longer provided, the Commission now focuses on vocational training. “We’re empowering them with vocational skills to start a new chapter,” he said. He added that NGOs like PAX and APRu are partnering in reintegration efforts for former LRA defectors from DRC and CAR.
Voices of the Returnees
Dr. Acaye, a former LRA captive repatriated in 2023, spoke on behalf of the returnees. Abducted in 1992 and later exiled in CAR, Acaye expressed gratitude to the Ugandan government for granting them amnesty.
“We’re deeply grateful to the government for pardoning us for the atrocities we were forced to commit while in captivity,” he said. “We were abducted against our will, and we never intended to harm our own people. The government’s forgiveness and the warm welcome from the people of Uganda have been a blessing to us and our families.”
He urged fellow returnees to remain disciplined and adaptable. Drawing from his own reintegration experience, he emphasized the importance of respecting community norms and rebuilding trust through responsible conduct.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Amnesty Commission has granted amnesty to over 28,000 former combatants, including 13,540 from the LRA, 6,500 from the West Nile Bank Front, 2,600 from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and 2,500 from the Uganda National Rescue Front II.
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