FORMER KICWAMBA ADF ABDUCTEES RENEW THEIR CALL FOR COMPENSATION

Nimusiima Evarline

FORT PORTAL

The Kicwamba technical college ADF victims have today renewed their call for compensation for what they went through in the hands of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) when they attacked the college and abducted them.

June 8 this year, marked 24 years since the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked Kicwamba Technical College in Kabarole District, burning 80 students to death and abducting more than 100.

During the interfaith prayers to remember those who were killed that was organised at the college today, the former student abductees of the ADF and the families of the victims have petitioned the president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni through the Member of Parliament who also doubles as the state minister for Local government Victoria Businge Rusoke for compensation.

In their petition which was presented by Buloremo James, one of the abductees on their behalf, they argued that during their captivity in the hands of the ADF, they were tortured, mutilated and forced to commit crimes against their will.

They also indicated that they got exposed to horrific, inhuman and unspeakable ADF acts and situations which have left permanent damage to them.

Even after their escape from captivity, these say they have tried to get back to life but have on several occasions been denied opportunity.

Last year in August, the Fort Portal Woman MP, Ms Irene Linda, wrote to the Attorney General and the Justice ministry demanding the government compensation for the victims.

She is yet to receive a response from the government.

The interfaith prayers were organised by the Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice (RFPJ) in conjunction with the Kicwamba Technical College.

John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop Gulu diocese led the prayers condemning the conflicts that have prevailed in the country.

Odama pointed out power, ethnicity, Religion, struggle for resources and ago as the most causes of conflicts in the country today.

Odama called for love for one another to avoid issues of killing one another so that people can live in harmony.

Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the commander of Operation Shuuja however assured the members of the public and the technical college that what happened at the same college in 1998 is now next to impossible saying the army has already defeated the ADF in the region.

He however lashed out at the members of parliament from the opposition side who have of recent been describing the UPDF operation in Congo against ADF as non-existent to instead visit the country and know what the army is doing.

At the time of the attack, the rebels locked students in their dormitories and set them on fire.

Twenty-seven students who were burnt beyond recognition were buried in a mass grave inside the college and the grave bears all their names.

Although some students escaped and survived the attack, more than 100 were abducted by the rebels.

Victoria Businge Rusoke, the state minister for Local Government who also doubles as the woman Member of Parliament for Kabarole district said at the time people were not conscious about their security.