Uganda Repatriates Ex-LRA Combatants and Families from CAR

Former members of warlord Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group have been repatriated to Uganda.

The former combatants returned home together with their families after reportedly surrendering to the Central African Republic (CAR) forces recently.

The group comprises 14 ex-combatants, 14 women and 33 children.

They arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Saturday afternoon aboard a Bar Aviation chartered aircraft from the Central African Republic.

They were received at Entebbe International Airport by Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, and Defence Minister, Vincent Ssempijja.

“I received the former combatants of the LRA and their families at the Old Airbase in Entebbe,” Nabbanja said after welcoming them back home.

She also met with the political and traditional leaders from Northern Uganda at the same event organised by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. “I thank all government institutions including our Ministries, the UN and the Government of Central African Republic for continuing to support operations aimed at rescuing Ugandans from LRA.”

She said as has been the case in the past, the Government will facilitate the reintegration of the former LRA combatants into their communities.

“I urge them to take advantage of the prevailing peaceful environment and the Government socioeconomic transformation programmes to rebuild their lives,” she added.

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is a Christian extremist organization which operates in northern Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The LRA was listed as a terrorist group by the United States, though it has since been removed from the list of designated active terrorist groups.

It has been accused of widespread human rights violations, including murder, abduction, mutilation, child-sex slavery, and recruitment of child soldiers.