The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth, has advised ex-combatants to use the Resettlement Package wisely and not take it as an entitlement or business.

Oboth Oboth made these remarks on May 8, 2024, while officiating at the launch of the commencement of the payments of Ugx 5.1 billion to 4901 ex-combatants of the defunct West Nile Bank Front (WNBF) at Koboko district headquarters.

“This gesture is a fulfillment by the Commander in Chief to the people of WNBF as a landmark milestone step in ensuring the pacification of the region and that the ex-combatants are resettled back in life as civilians,” Oboth Oboth said.

The Minister urged the people of the West Nile to exercise reconciliation as a form of justice, enabling ex-combatants to contribute to their communities and promote social cohesion and positivity.

According to Minister Hudu Oleru Abason, Secretary of State for Defense and Veteran Affairs, the West Nile region underwent immense suffering shortly after the fall of the Iddi Amin regime in 1979.

She added that most of the rebels got exiled, giving rise to insurgencies, some of which split into the post-1986 liberation period.

“I appreciate the ex-combatants for voluntarily giving up arms at Kerila, Yumbe district, which marked a symbolic turning point to ending insurgencies in the region,” Oleru said.

Dr. Charles Ayume, Member of Parliament for Koboko Municipality and also Chairperson of the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus, applauded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his efforts to pacify the country.

In attendance were officials and staff from the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Members of Parliament, Resident District Chairpersons, senior officers, and other leaders from the West Nile region.

WNBF is a group of ex-Uganda Army soldiers who remained loyal to Idi Amin. Its first reported activity was in 1988. It became active as a proper insurgent force in 1994.