Government Launches 5.1 Billion Shillings Payment to Former West Nile Bank Front Combatants

The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has initiated a payment of 5.1 billion shillings to former combatants associated with the defunct West Nile Bank Front.

Speaking at a press conference at media center in Kampala, the Minister of State for Defence (Veterans Affairs) Abason Huda Oleru, disclosed that among the main beneficiaries of this fund are various groups from the West Nile region, including the Uganda National Rescue Front 1 led by General Moses Ali, Uganda National Rescue Front ll led by Maj Gen Ali Bamuze, and the West Nile Bank Front led by Maj Gen Kuma Oris Abdallah, among others.

Minister Huda explained that the West Nile region had endured significant hardship following the tumultuous political events after Amini’s regime, leading to many people going into exile and giving rise to insurgencies that persisted into the post-1986 liberation era.

The government, under President Museveni’s leadership, negotiated agreements with former rebel groups, excluding the West Nile Bank Front, to bring an end to the rebellion and promised peace dividends.

The official launch of the payment for the West Nile Bank Front is scheduled for May 8, 2024, in Koboko district, benefiting over 4901 ex-combatants.

Huda highlighted that one of the key provisions of the agreement was resettlement packages for the ex-combatants. Cabinet approved a total payment of 26.1 billion shillings on April 25, 2024, with 5.1 billion allocated for the West Nile Bank Front and 21 billion for individuals associated with the Uganda National Rescue Front II in the fiscal year 2024/2025.

She further noted that the initial steps for payment included mobilizing ex-combatants in West Nile districts such as Pakwach, Zombo, Nebbi, Madi-Dokolo, Arua, and Adjumani, among others.

The minister emphasized that the NRM government’s commitment to supporting military veterans and achieving national harmony.

“The commencement of these payment should lay to rest the restlessness from some sections of the society in the West Nile sub-region to settle down and focus on wealth creation,” she said, adding that the launch of the payment program wasa step towards achieving lasting peace and stability.