Government has reportedly diverted 120 billion shillings from Peace Recovery Development Programme-PRDP to pay Acholi War Debts Claimants. In 2008, the claimants dragged the government to court, demanding for compensations for lost animals during the war. Government opted for an out of court settlement and released shillings 7 billion to the war claimants. Now, Odonga Otto, Aruu County Member of parliament says that the Acholi parliamentary group is in possession of a letter written by president Museveni directing the prime minister to divert shillings 120 billion from PRDP to pay off the war claimants.
He claims that the money will reach the war debt claimants association in April next year. Odonga wonders why the money should be diverted from the PRDP which is a donor funded programme. He wants the money blocked and instead government gets money from other sources.
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Odonga also says many members of the association are opting not to be paid through the association because of corruption in the group. Patrick Okello Oryema, Nwoya LCV chairperson supports Odonga Otto. Oryema says the PRDP money is donor money and cannot be used to pay the war debt claimants who sued the government not the donors. He also wants the government to get a different source of funding to pay the war claimants.
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He believes if government diverts the PRDP funds, less money shall be remitted to the districts under the programme. However, not all agree that the PRDP money should not be used to pay off the claimants. Agago County Member of Parliament, Amos Okot says the region risks being paid blanket compensation if they reject the PRPD money.
He argues that the money should be accepted but they should demand that government implements the PRDP program. Lowila Oketayot, Pader district Woman Member of Parliament agrees with Okot. Lowila says if the money is rejected other regions that are also threatening to drag government to court will get the money and Acholi sub region will miss out. Officials from PRDP Secretariat and office of the prime minister have not yet responded to the claim by the leaders from Acholi sub-region.
