UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
and that has failed to reward them for their contributions to NRM’s rise to power. 498
Participants from Nakasongola district claimed that they were peaceful and wealthy until
they either gave away or lost all their wealth to NRA fighters during the NRA bush war,
that they have failed to regain their former wealth, and that peace has remained elusive.
The youth expressed that the war caused them to miss educational opportunities as well
as the possibility of enjoying and inheriting their parents´ wealth that was lost during the
war. They suffer from unemployment and extreme poverty, and are worried about the
poor prospects of reacquiring lost wealth. The Government has made numerous empty
promises to compensate the victims and rehabilitate the districts in appreciation for
their parents’ sacrifices and contributions toward the NRA/M victory.
Despite these dilemmas, the youths indicated that in 2006, the elderly encouraged
them to vote for the NRM Government, as the elderly believed that the NRM “is their
son they delivered” which should not be deserted. However, after the NRM received
overwhelming votes from the youth and won the elections for the second time, the
participants expressed that very little action was undertaken by the Government to
show their appreciation, with numerous unfulfilled promises including assurances of
compensation.
A significant number of youth were resentful of older generations and stated that they
do not accept advice from their elders. As a result, the elderly are vulnerable to exclusion
from social support from the youths. 499
498 Similar feelings of blame were said to exist between men and women. Men blame women for supporting
the NRM unconditionally
499 Research conducted in Nakasongola District
230