By Sharon S. Tibenda

6^th Dec 2010

Landmine experts at work

Uncleared minefields in northern Uganda’s Lamwo district have prevented thousands of people displaced during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency from returning home, IRIN news has reported.

Mr. Mathew Ocen Akiya, a local government official, is reported to have said “…these people can’t go to their villages [in Agoro sub-county] unless the place is cleared and declared free of the landmines”.  Mr. Akiya added that up to 10,000 people were unable to go home.

Mr. Geoffrey Onek, a 59yr old IDP who still lives in one of the camps told IRIN news that he was put off returning to his home after a landmine killed two people.

“…I tried going back home in 2006 but a landmine killed two people.  I saw how my neighbour Okello was hit by a landmine in Mica [his home village] in 2006. We were going to the village to begin constructing huts for the family to move away from the camp in Lukung but as we walked down the hill, I heard a thunderous blast followed by dark smoke.  I would rather die here in the camp than risk my life and that of my children in that village”, Onek said.

According to Lt. Denis Labu, the head of the demining office in Lamwo, four suspected minefields in the hills of Agoro are yet to be cleared.  He also admitted that five people were killed and five injured in 2006.  He however said demining teams had already removed and detonated 28 Chinese-made E72s from the village of Lute and 22 mines from Ajalikec village.

Lt. Labu added that the common practice of setting light to vegetation in an effort to detonate the devices was putting civilians in danger.  That said, the army maintains that its demining teams are on track to meet a 2012 deadline for clearing all existing minefields in areas of return for IDPs.

On the other hand, Mine Action Programme Coordinator Vincent Woboya appealed for more resources.  “…With the capacity we have, we cannot get rid of the mines, and unexploded ordnance still poses a threat to the resettlement of IDPs”, Mr. Woboya said.

Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, the Minister for Disaster Preparedness, is reported to have reassured the IDPs that “…the government will source additional resources to meet the demand on the ground”.  END. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.