By Aggrey Baba
The wife of Joseph Kony the leader of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), was on February 26, officially welcomed back to Uganda after spending years in the Central African Republic (CAR).
28-year old Judith Acan, one of Kony’s wives, along with his two daughters, Amu Maisa, 18, and Betty Akidi, 21, and his son, Pope Kony, 18, all not biological children to Acan, arrived in Uganda aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
They were received at Entebbe International Airport by Ugandan officials, including Dr. Kenneth Omona, the State Minister for Northern Uganda.
Kony is famously known for leading the LRA, a rebel group that caused widespread violence in Northern Uganda, South Sudan, DRC, and the CAR. His brutal campaign lasted for decades, and he was accused of abducting children to fight in his army.
Kony’s group was notorious for its attacks on villages, kidnapping children, and committing unspeakable crimes. Many of Kony’s fighters, however, have since, report3dly deserted his camp and returned to their home countries.
Acan’s return marks a significant moment, as over 150 former LRA combatants and their families have been repatriated with the help of the CAR government and Pax Netherlands, a non-governmental organization that assists former fighters and their families.
Kony’s family members, although not his biological children, have been in exile for years and are now starting a new chapter in Uganda.
The Ugandan government, in collaboration with CAR, has worked hard to ensure the safe return and reintegration of former combatants.
According to officials, this includes providing them with skills training to help them settle back into their communities. Acan and her children are expected to benefit from these programs to start anew.
Dr. Omona confirmed that Uganda’s relationship with CAR remains strong, with both governments agreeing that any former LRA combatant who surrenders in CAR will be allowed to return to Uganda.
He encouraged others still in the jungle to come forward and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
“The door is still open for others to return,” Omona said. “We are here to support them as they settle back into their communities.”
The return of Kony’s family is a symbol of hope for many former rebels who now seek peace and a fresh start after years of violence and hardship. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
