Two of Kony's wives and children repatriated from Central African Republic

Ugandan security forces have welcomed back two women who were held captive by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), along with children linked to the rebel group’s leader, Joseph Kony. The repatriation occurred at the UPDF Airbase in Entebbe, following their return from the Central African Republic (CAR).

Colonel Chris Magezi, the acting UPDF Public Relations Officer, confirmed that the individuals were escorted to Uganda by the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Major General Richard Otto. They had been flown from Bangui, the capital of CAR.

The repatriated women have been identified as Ikol Grace, a Ugandan national abducted in 2003 at the age of 10, and Aniyessi Teregina, a South Sudanese national who was abducted in 2006 at 13 years old.

According to Colonel Magezi, Ikol returned with her two children, aged eight and two. Aniyessi arrived with one orphaned child of Kony, who is two years old. These women were part of a larger group of eight wives and 13 children who escaped LRA captivity in January of this year. Their escape followed an apparent attack on their hideout by an unnamed armed group near the borders of CAR, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Authorities stated that the remaining escaped women, who are citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo and CAR, along with their children, were reunited with their families in their respective home countries. Aniyessi is expected to be facilitated to return to South Sudan.

This repatriation highlights the continued regional collaboration aimed at locating, rescuing, and rehabilitating individuals who escaped from LRA captivity. Despite a significant decline in the LRA’s activities due to sustained military pressure, remnants of the group are believed to still be active in remote areas of CAR, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Security officials emphasize the need for comprehensive support, including psychosocial care and reintegration assistance, for those returning from years of captivity. Records show that over 150 former LRA captives, including some of Kony’s relatives, have been repatriated to Uganda from CAR in 2023 and 2024 alone.

This effort comes as human rights advocates continue to call for increased support for survivors, many of whom were abducted as children and subjected to forced marriage and armed conflict. Joseph Kony remains a wanted figure by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This reporting is based on information from the Daily Monitor.