The family of former UPC leader Olara Otunnu has appealed to President Museveni to help them get compensation for property lost during the insurgency that followed his government’s rise to power.
They want at least Shs 2.1 billion for lost property and livestock. Some of the family property was allegedly grabbed by the National Resistance Army (NRA), which shot Museveni into power and later became Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
This effort is being led by Olara Otunnu’s younger brother, Prof Ogenga Otunnu, who teaches at DePaul University in Illinois, Chicago, USA. Speaking to The Observer by phone last week, Ogenga, who is currently in Uganda, said that their claims had been verified by the relevant local government authorities and the Acholi War Debts Claimants Association (AWDCA).
However, he was told that the family can only be compensated with the approval of President Museveni.
“I have been in contact with his new principal private secretary [Molly Kamukama] who has been trying to secure for me an appointment with the president. So far, I have not been successful,” he said.
Kamukama told us last week that Ogenga should utilise the ongoing government compensation programme targeting people who lost property during the LRA insurgency in northern Uganda and other parts of the country.
“If his claims have been verified, I advise him to contact the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs which is handling the process to know his fate,” she said.
Besides his elder brother Olara Otunnu, Ogenga said he was working on behalf of his deceased parents, Dr Yusto Otunnu and Amato Otunnu, and sister Lukonyomoi Otunnu. All died in the United Kingdom, where they were living.
THE DEMANDS
In a letter dated August 8, 2016 and addressed to President Museveni, Ogenga gives the details of the family properties that were stolen, encroached on or destroyed during the insurgency.
According to the letter, the family wants Shs 1 billion as compensation for four buses that were lost during the insurgency. The buses were registered under Rafiki Bus Service and used to ply Kampala-Gulu road. Each bus is estimated to have cost Shs 250 million.
The family also wants Shs 50 million for a pick-up truck (Peugeot), which was destroyed during the insurgency. There is also a Mercedes Benz estimated at Shs 200 million, which he says was forcefully stolen by an NRA officer in Gulu.
“Many people can verify the claim because my parents drove the car [Benz] for nearly two years in Gulu and Kitgum [districts],” he notes.
According to Ogenga, there are also four tractors which were seized from family farms in Anaka and Nwoya districts. Each of these tractors was estimated at Shs 150 million.
Ogenga writes that the family’s two houses in Gulu town, near the local government prison, were also destroyed. The first, of 10 bedrooms, is valued at Shs 150 million while the other of 15 bedrooms is valued at Shs 180 million. Personally, Ogenga reportedly lost lots of livestock, which included 149 cows, 20 bulls and 29 calves.
Ogenga also notes that there is a large chunk of their family land in Nwoya district, which has been taken over by squatters. He says this land can be put to productive use through investments.
“There are international investors that are waiting to come and develop the land,” he writes.
In the telephone interview, Ogenga said he had not wanted to make the matter public but after years of unsuccessfully trying to seek compensation as well as audience with the president, he decided to come out.
“I want a negotiated agreement. Even if government does not give us the amount that we want, as long as there is agreement between us, that is fine,” he said.
ekiggundu@observer.ug