By Mike Rwothomio

Community leaders in the West Nile sub-region have called on war victims and survivors to register with the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network to help establish an accurate record of those affected by past conflicts, supporting peaceful and structured efforts toward government-supported reparations.

Lemeriga Fadhil, Prime Minister of Aringa Kingdom and Head of Corporate Affairs at the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network, made the appeal, emphasizing the importance of verified lists to facilitate dialogue with government authorities.

“We have experienced significant challenges due to the insurgencies of 1979, the 1980s, and subsequent periods,” Mr. Lemeriga said.

“As people of West Nile, we believe in working together constructively so that our concerns can be properly addressed through lawful channels.”

He added: “My call is for every victim and every resident of West Nile to cooperate with the West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network. This will enable us to verify the true number of affected individuals, process the lists accurately, and forward them to the Office of the Prime Minister for further consideration.”

The network has encouraged communities to view the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity as a source of strength, promoting unity through consistent information sharing and collective participation.

Mr. Lemeriga announced that registration teams will be deployed across all districts. He noted that a modest registration fee of 10,000 shillings will be required, with 5,000 shillings directed toward a regional SACCO initiative and the remaining 5,000 shillings supporting the administrative process.

He described the exercise as “critical” for ensuring a fair and transparent approach.

The West Nile Compensation Advocacy Network was established in October 2025 by concerned stakeholders to advocate for peaceful resolution and recognition of losses suffered during past conflicts.The organization is now fully registered and actively conducting verification exercises.

Background

West Nile war claimants include survivors and families affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, particularly in areas such as Arua and Pakwach during the 1990s, as well as earlier incidents like the Ombaci massacre of June 21, 1981.

Estimates indicate that approximately 1,102 individuals lost lives, sustained permanent injuries, or suffered property losses including money, merchandise, and vehicles during ambushes and attacks between 1992 and 1997.

Community leaders continue to express hope that a fair and inclusive process will recognize the contributions and sacrifices of all regions, fostering lasting peace and national unity.

In October 2025, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Prime Minister, Attorney General, and relevant ministries to verify claims and explore ex-gratia payments as part of broader support for households affected by past conflicts in northern Uganda.The matter forms part of ongoing national discussions on post-conflict healing and reparations across northern Uganda.

In April 2025, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona, confirmed government allocation of 150 billion shillings for compensation related to livestock losses in the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions.

West Nile remains a strong supporter of the National Resistance Movement government, with the region delivering over 80 percent of the vote to President Museveni in the January 2026 general elections.

West Nile war claimants posed for a photo after an engagement in Arua City recently.photo. West Nile online

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub