Ugx 5.1 Billion To Be Paid To West Nile Bank Front Ex-Combatants

The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs), the Honourable Huda Abason Oleru, announced today that the Government of the Republic of Uganda is set to pay Uganda Shillings 5.1 billion (Ugx 5.1bn) to 4,901 ex-combatants of the defunct West Nile Bank Front.

Honourable Oleru said this was after the Cabinet approved the funds on 25 April 2024 to settle WNBF this financial year and UGX 21 billion to Uganda National Rescue Front I (UNRFI) and other residual individuals from UNRFII, which will be paid in the budget for the financial year 2024/2025.

This will benefit the districts of Pakwach, Zombo, Nebbi, Madi-Okolo, Arua, Maracha, Terego, Koboko, and Yumbe, as well as Obongi, Moyo, and Adjumani.

These groups included Uganda National Rescue Front I (UNRFI), Uganda National Rescue Front II led by Maj Gen Ali Bamuze, Uganda National Rescue Front II led by Brig Nasuru Ezaga, and West Bank Front led by Maj Gen Juma Oris Abdallah.

Honourable Oleru mentioned that the government signed peace agreements with the various defunct groups except the West Nile Bank Front (WNBF), although an amicable end to the rebellion was reached with a Peace dividend pledged, which the government is now ready to fulfill as payment of a resettlement package to the ex-combatants, with only the exception of UNRFI and the residual cases of UNRFII, as the rest of the defunct groups were paid their package.

The payment will officially be launched on 8 May 2024 in Koboko District.