LIRA – President Yoweri Museveni has donated Shs 30m to support survivors of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) attack at Barlonyo village in Agweng sub-county, Lira district.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbajja delivered the offer during the commemoration prayers for 301 victims massacred at the former internally displaced people’s camp 18 years ago.
On 21st February 2004, the LRA rebels believed to have been commanded by Okot Odihambo, attacked and massacred 301 people in the camp which had the population of 480 IDPs. The victims were buried in a mass grave.
But since then, survivors claimed the number could be more because several people were still missing and could not be traced by their relatives.
It is now 18 years down the road, and the area is graduating into a resounding trading center with permanent buildings coming up and business booming.
Three schools, Barlonyo Agro Technical Institute, Barlonyo Technical and Fountain Primary Schools were established by the NGOs and government to help survivors’ access better education.
In a speech delivered by Nabajja, Museveni called upon the church to continue sowing the seed of love, unity, discipline, sacrifice, hard work, integrity, and patriotism among the people of Uganda.
“This is the backbone of the gospel of Jesus Christ and young people should desist from reckless behavior and practices that can jeopardize their health and ruin their future,” he stated.
He also urged people to embrace the government program of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to fight household poverty and generate income.
The Chairperson of the war victims, Moses Odongo asked the government to upgrade Barlonyo Agro-Technical Institute to a College of Agriculture, initiate an income generating activity and compensate the victims.
“We are requesting the government for income generation for widows and orphans and upgrade of the site to a tourist destination,” he adds.
The area LC1, Alex Ogwal who was given Shs 5m to purchase a motorbike, urged President Museveni to fulfill his pledge of constructing a health unit in the area and donate a van for the school.
The area MP Christine Akello urged the government to upgrade Ogur health unit to a district hospital and compensate people massacred in the area.
https://thecooperator.news/will-the-parish-development-model-end-household-poverty/
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