Lango LRA victims turn to VSLA to boost livelihoods
LIRA, September 3, 2025 – Former members of the defunct Lord’s Resistance Army Captives and Returnee Association in the Lango Subregion are celebrating after transitioning into a Village Savings and Loan Association [ VSLA ], noting that it continues to improve their livelihoods.
The VSLA, which began with 800 members in 2021, now boasts 1,620 members engaged in savings, poultry keeping, general merchandise, and other small-scale businesses. Some members also work on other members’ farms to earn money for sustainability.
The beneficiaries come from Lira City, and districts of Lira, Alebtong, Oyam, and Kole, all of which were heavily affected during the 20-year insurgency led by the Lord’s Resistance Army [LRA] under Joseph Kony, who remains at large and is wanted by the International Criminal Court [ICC] for crimes his rebel group committed against humanity.
To date, the VSLA has purchased 1,660 chicks at a cost of Shs 8.3 million – profits generated from loan interest and repayments from the members.
Moris Okello, Chairperson of the VSLA, explained that the LRA victims decided to transition to the VSLA so that they could be identified properly by authorities but also tap into opportunities that generate income for the members.
“We started the VSLA in 2021, and our registration fee is Shs10,000. We wanted to unite so that saving and raising money would be easier, helping us tap into opportunities for development,” Okello said.
Okello, a resident of Oyere village in Apala Subcounty, added that the VSLA is significantly improving the living standards of former abductees, who can now meet their basic needs.
“Life is better now compared to the past. In our group, we have religious leaders who offer counselling. Our children are going to school, and if we lack school fees, we borrow from the group and repay with interest,” he said.
However, Okello noted that financial constraints remain a challenge.
“Often, many members come to borrow money, but the available funds are insufficient because our savings are still small,” he said, appealing to the government and well-wishers for support.
“My request is for the government and other well widhers to support our VSLA financially so we can increase our capital base and ensure adequate funds are available.”
Abel Ogeny, Coordinator of the defunct Association, echoed the concern over limited financial resources for the VSLA.
“We don’t have much money. Our total savings grew from Shs 2 million in 2021 to Shs 21 million in 2024. With more support, we could go even further. I’m hopeful that this year we will reach Shs 30 million as interest in the VSLA grows,” Ogeny said.
He stressed the need for grants rather than loans:
“What we urgently need now is capital for the VSLA. If we could receive grants instead of loans, it would relieve us of the pressure of repayment.”
Scovia Akello, a member of the VSLA, shared how the initiative transformed her life.
“When I returned [from captivity], my relatives rejected me. I started digging people’s farms, saved some money, began renting, and later joined the VSLA. Now I rent land for farming, buy food for my home, and my child is learning mechanics at Agweng Trading Centre in Lira District,” she explained.
Jackson Ocaa, the Lira District Senior Probation Officer, encouraged LRA victims to embrace government initiatives aimed at poverty eradication and livelihood improvement, noting that they are inclusive.
“We have programmes for supporting vulnerable groups across the country. Victims of the LRA insurgency fall under this category. Women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities [PWDs] affected by the insurgency are eligible to benefit from these initiatives, including the Parish Development Model [PDM],” Ocaa said.
Other government programmes accessible to the group include the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP], Youth Livelihood Programme [YLP], and the Special Grant for Persons with Disability and Older Persons.
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