By George Bukenya
Government move to pay the defunct West Nile Bank Front (WNBF) rebel group after almost forty years since the rebellion against NRM government ended.
A total of UGX 5.1 billion are earmarked to compensate the Ex-combatant who the ruling government convinced WNBF under the leadership of Maj Gen. Oris Abdallah to end the rebellion amicably having been promised to receive Peace Dividend as a resettlement package for the group’s ex-combatants.
While addressing reporters at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon. Huda Oleru Abason said that cabinet approved the payment of UGX 26.1 billion of which 5.1 due to WNBF to be paid this financial year and 21 billion to Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF1) and other residual individuals from UNRF II to be paid in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
The minister said that the process of effecting the payment started with mobilization of ex-combatants who are still arrive and the beneficiaries in the Wes Nile disticts of Pakwach, Zombo, Nebbi, Madi-Okolo, Arua, Arua City, Maracha, Terego, Koboko, Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo and Adjumani.
This exercise revealed a total of 4901 ex-combatants both alive and deceased that was approved to benefit in this payment of UGX 5.1 billion passed in the budget of 2023/2024.
According to the Minister, the Peace Dividend of the WNBF will be launched next week in Koboko District on 8th May, 2014 whileUNRF1 and UNRF II will be catered for in the forthcoming financial year.