Former abductees of the Allied Democratic Forces-ADF who returned from captivity, today gathered at St John Evangelist Minor Seminary-Kiburara in Kisinga Sub-county to share a candle light moment in commemoration of the attack on the seminary.
A candle light moment describes a quiet, warm, and reflective experience illuminated by the soft glow of candles by former abductees and their relatives. The event focused on collective grief, honoring victims, and finding hope for the future. It also marked the launch of a movie starring the ADF attack on the seminary and other places in the Rwenzori region.
Today marked exactly 29 years since the ADF insurgents attacked the seminary, abducted 19 minor seminarians and two employees before setting at least three vehicles on fire and stealing several cattle from the farm.
Mr Dismas Balyamugheni, one of the returnees who was abducted from the seminary as a young boy only to escape later, told Messiah Radio that the experience in the bush during abduction was mindboggling and inflicted irreparable damage on the victims.
Balyamugheni observed the need to always pray for such victims so that they either return home safely or so that those who lost their lives can receive the grace of God.
The event was also attended by several returnees from the community who noted that candlelight moment had enabled them to grieve together, share their bad experiences and also collectively appreciate the challenges they experienced as a key step in the healing process.
Arija Mbambu, who was also abducted in 1996, says she contracted several ailments while in the bush and makes a passionate appeal to government and development partners to consider extending support to victims of the ADF insurgency.
Meanwhile for Agnes Mbambu who was abducted from Kimangu village in Katsungiro parish of Munkunyu sub-county, it is more about the psychological trauma she suffered because of the unspeakable actions they were forced to do lest they are killed.
She also narrated her painstaking ordeal to Messiah Radio in which she emphasised the need for psycho-social support.
Mr Sabuni Masereka, also another returnee from the community who was abducted in 1996, says this situation ruined their future since most of them did not further their studies as given that some were even battling diseases they had contracted while in the bush.
Mr. Moses Baluku, the team leader at Foundation of Rwenzori Abductees and Returnees Organization-FORARO, who was also abducted from the seminary in 1997 said the candlelight moment was an opportunity for them to remember the importance of peace, justice, reconciliation and respect for human dignity in sustainable peace building.
Baluku added that the event is a stark reminder on all actors to commit to preventing violence and building communities where everyone can live in safety and dignity.
However, for Fr Francis Kojjo Kule, the rector at St John Evangelist Seminary, the government ought to support victims’ families obtain closure by looking out for areas where their children and or persons could have been killed and subsequently buried so that their remains are given a dignified burial.
Fr Kojjo opines that this would be a key step in helping the families to permanently heal from the devasting loss of their loved ones.
The man of God also appealed to government to consider compensating the families of persons who lost their children and also design a comprehensive programme aimed at rehabilitating those who managed to escape and return home alive.
ENDS.