UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
Participants specifically mentioned a former Obote soldier known as Werikhe who did
not join the NRA but instead fought against them. He was believed to be one of the
FOBA commanders in charge of the Mafudu areas of Sironko District during late 1980s
and early 1990s. Ill equipped and with few followers, Werikhe was quickly defeated by
the NRA. Werikhe fled to Kenya where he died a natural death without facing justice. 383
The participants wondered how victims and the affected population can access and
benefit from justice if a perpetrator flees Uganda.
Participants also indicated that, in response to FOBA
activities in eastern Uganda, the NRA sent soldiers to Soroti
and Bulambuli districts to suppress the rebels. Participants
alleged that in 1990, as part of the counter-insurgency
movement, one unnamed NRA officer forcefully circumcised
100 men as a collective punishment to instil fear and to
compel the community and anti-NRA groups such as FOBA
to denounce rebellion and support the new government of
President Museveni. Of the 100 men, 90 bled to death. 384
Participants blamed the incumbent government for its failure
to arrest and prosecute the responsible UPDF officer who had
commanded the crimes.
83. Force Obote Back Again/9 th October
Movement (1985-1986)
The rebel group Force Obote Back Again (FOBA) 385 is said to have
been founded in late 1985 by supporters of Obote’s Uganda
People’s Congress (UPC) government, after he had been
overthrown. Peter Otai, a former Minister of Security during
Obote’s regime, led the group, which strove to reinstate Obote
as president. This rebellion was most active in eastern Uganda,
in particular in Mbale and Soroti Districts. The “9 th October”
Movement’s name refers to Uganda’s national Independence
Day. The implication was that on this day, Obote legitimately
received power by the British, and that his leadership should
be restored.
Like other rebel groups, FOBA was infamous for indoctrinating
innocent civilians and inciting them against the NRA
Government, insisting that the Government was led by a
murderous and oppressive regime. FOBA was also known for
raping women and looting. The NRA reacted with violence in many communities where
FOBA was operating in an attempt to curb the group’s support. 386 Some participants
383 Research conducted in Bulambuli District
384 Ibid
385 Also known as “Force Obote Back Army”, see Jones, B. (2005) The church in the village, the village in the
church. Cahiers D’Études Africaines, 45(2), pp. 497-517
386 Research conducted in Bulambuli and Soroti Districts
176