Ex-Rebels Get Shs2b
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The Monitor (Kampala)
June 28, 2004
Posted to the web June 28, 2004
Kefa Atibuni
Yumbe
Former rebels of the defunct Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRFII) of Maj. Gen. Ali
Bamuze have received cheques worth Shs2 billion as part of their resettlement package
from the government.
Officials from the Amnesty Commission handed the cheques to 530 former combatants at
Bidibidi co-operative society on Friday. The society is a foundation of the
ex-combatants in Yumbe town.
The government, among other things, promised Shs4.2 billion to the over 6,000
ex-combatants during a peace agreement signed on December 24, 2002.
Amnesty Commissioner Al haji B Ganyana Miiro, who officiated at the hand-over
ceremony, said the money was paid in cheques for purposes of good record and
accountability.
"This befits the prophets of doom who have been saying that the government was playing
tricks to make the ex-combatants sign the agreement. We have been telling them that
this exercise takes a bit of time," Miiro said.
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He said the government was keeping its promise that the money would be paid in
instalments. "I would like to thank President Yoweri Museveni for initiating peace
talks with UNRFII. This shows that the President is committed to peace," he said.
"I call upon our brothers who are leading the ADF to come out and settle their
differences with the government so that we may have peace. I cannot forget our brother
Kony. Come and negotiate with the government today, when the Amnesty Act lasts, before
the terrorist law and international criminal court take over," he said.
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