Ombaci Mission Massacre: UNLA Troops Attack Refugees in 1981

More than four decades ago, on June 24, 1981, a place of refuge for thousands fleeing violence in Uganda’s West Nile region became a site of immense tragedy. St. Joseph’s College Ombaci and the neighboring Ombaci Catholic Mission, near Arua, were targeted by soldiers of the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA).

This horrific event unfolded during a period of instability following the fall of Idi Amin in 1979 and the contested 1980 elections that brought Milton Obote back to power. West Nile, Amin’s home area, was viewed with suspicion by government forces engaged in combating remnants of the former army. Amidst rising insecurity, numerous civilians sought safety at Ombaci, hoping the Catholic mission, school premises, and the presence of the International Committee of the Red Cross would provide protection.

However, the morning of June 24 saw UNLA soldiers surround the compound. They accused the sheltering civilians of collaborating with rebels. Accounts from witnesses describe a brutal and extended assault. Soldiers moved through classrooms, workshops, chapels, and storage areas where families had gathered, using gunfire, grenades, bayonets, and severe beatings. Widespread looting accompanied the violence.

While the precise number of casualties remains uncertain, historical records suggest nearly 100 people were killed. A mass grave on the school grounds holds the remains of 97 victims, a somber testament to that day. Hundreds more sustained injuries, and many survivors bore deep physical and psychological scars for years afterward. The Ombaci massacre was largely ignored nationally for many years, a painful memory kept alive within affected families and communities. In recent times, survivors and local leaders have worked to bring greater attention to the tragedy, with annual memorial prayers now held every June 24, and ongoing calls for official recognition and support for those impacted.

Source: Nile Post