UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
Uganda caused insecurity that resulted in numerous human rights violations, including
but not limited to NRA killings, torture and disappearances of significant numbers
of civilians and rebel supporters. Participants revealed that after the June 3 rd 1988
signing of the Pece Peace Accord between the leaders of UPDA and the Government of
Uganda, the fighters ended their rebellion. This gave rise to their demobilisation and the
integration of some members into the NRA. However, those who did not agree with the
peace process joined other rebel groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army. 315
59. Cel-ibong splinter group insurgency (1986 - 1988)
The Cel-ibong fighting group, based in Kitgum district, was composed primarily of former
Uganda National Liberation Army fighters who fled back with their guns to northern
Uganda. This group was at some point commanded by Bazilio Okello Olara, a former
UNLA commander, who later sought refuge in Sudan. Okeny Atare from Nam Okora subcounty,
Kitgum District, was also one of the top commanders. His unit’s operations mainly
affected Chua County, Kitgum District. The group worked mainly in Kitgum District and
the present Pader District where they attacked National Resistance Army barracks with
the aim of capturing Kitgum District. They then planned to proceed to Kampala to topple
the then new government of President Museveni. This group received little support
from the community because their presence often prompted NRA attacks in which the
surrounding civilian population was victimised. The Cel-ibong group was ill equipped
to continue its insurgency and later dissolved, with some of its members joining the
NRA and rebel groups such as the LRA. Some individuals who renounced the Cel-ibong
later disappeared or died under mysterious circumstances. Participants cited a case in
which a man named Okello Kolo, once a supporter of the NRA, was found dead near
his home village in Kitgum district after he disagreed with the Government in 1989. 316
60. Agoyo Ayaro Splinter Group Insurgency (1986 - 1988)
Participants revealed that the Agoyo Ayaro was a group of former Uganda National
Liberation Army (UNLA) fighters who rebelled against President Museveni’s National
Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) Government in 1986. The name of the Agoyo
Ayaro group came from a founding member who is believed to have said, “Nyangkole
mamwa, wagoyo wayaro,” meaning “Mere Banyankole, we are going to crush and finish
them.” This reflected their belief in their own capacity to defeat the Banyankole and
regain the glory of having an Acholi president in power again.
Participants recalled that, despite its grand aspirations, the group was small and scattered
in villages of Kitgum (now Pader) District, from where they would attack NRA soldiers and
steal their guns. They would then redistribute them amongst the members who did not have
arms. After multiple encounters with the NRA and the realisation that they would be unable
to capture state power, the group slowly dissolved. Some members resorted to armed
robbery, others joined different rebel groups operating in northern Uganda and still others
joined the NRA. Some returned to civilian life and their previous agricultural livelihoods. 317
315 Research conducted in Gulu and Pader Districts
316 Research conducted in Kitgum District
317 Research conducted in Pader and Kitgum Districts
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