While addressing the press on Wednesday 21st June 2023, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Spokesperson Sharon Ayat Arach implored the Government to engage Omusinga of Rwenzururu Kingdom Charles Wesley Mumbere, who was recently set free, to negotiate peace and offer amnesty to the misled youths in ADF activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to return home and be rehabilitated.
“The government needs to consider having talks with the Omusinga Wesley Mumbere of Rwenzururu since he is an opinion leader he can convince some youths who have been recruited into rebel activities to return and be given amnesty and then be rehabilitated to settle back into the communities,” Arach stated.
This comes after suspected ADF rebels killed 42 people last weekend, 37 of them students of Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe town council in Kasese district.
“This is a tragedy of unbearable magnitude and a very sad experience, UPC sends heartfelt sympathies to the families, school, community, and government,” she said.
UPC acknowledged government’s military presence in the area in a bid to put an end to the rebel attacks.
“However, the government should look into these rebel attacks affecting the Rwenzori sub-region in a broader context, restore hope, and guarantee the security of our people not only in Kasese, but throughout the entire country,” she added.
According to Arach, there are other ways to ensure peace, such as exploring engagements and peace discussions where necessary, as was Northern Uganda.
UPC also appreciated government’s timely assistance to the families that are affected by such predicaments like rebel attacks, landslides, floods and others.
