21st February, 2014 Barlonyo LRA Massacre, Lira District
LRA Rebel leader Odyambo Commanded the attack on the IDP- Internally Displaced Person. Victims bodies where buried in trances of the local Militia “Amuku” local defence. The exact number of victims today has not yet been established. The memorial in-place as it stands has numbered the killings to 350. Family members, survivors and residents of Barlonyo are not in support of the government constructed monument and continues to question the numbers engraved on it. Barlonyo victims continue to hold memorial prayers yearly with support from refugee Law project and other stakeholders
Tony from Barlonyo; During 2004, I was General Secretary of Barlonyo IDP camp. Its 24 kms north east of Lira town. Now during that time when this massacre happened on 21 September, 2004 on Saturday around 5:44pm when these LRA arrived from the eastern part of Barlonyo camp. Now during that time there were local militia were about 49, and some were killed during that massacre. During that time the house holds were 479 in IDP camp. Now the bombs they were using were very complicated, they were using recoilless bombs, RPG and others. Those who were killed there were beaten, shot and some died in hut inside with fire burning under command of Okot Odhiambo. The Amuka commander was Olunga Fred. The number of people killed were 301 and this the list submitted. The number of people admitted Lira hospital where 49, and one child 3 month named Fiona was taken to Gulu family home so number remaining 47.
Barlonyo as I saw on list was in Ogur Sub County and now is in Agweng sub county Orit parish, in Lira district.
Now this number of these people who were killed we counted physically because there one army commander called Ondoga who mistreated those who escaped, and by the time of coming he had made the army to destroy some huts to hide some people. Then at that time there were two MPs, Oryetmoi from Erute north and MP for Alebtong plus the police who came there in the morning of the following day Sunday. Now these people some were killed at pit latrine being dug around the camp.
Now from there these people were counted and then buried in army trench around the put in kavera and placed along the trench. And some of them, their relatives took them at their respective home to bury. Now some of these people at the Lira Referral hospital some of them died, so now as I talk some of them have died because had wounds. The good thing we have is Action Aid and Ayinet is working with the people to remove the bullets from those who got this incidence.
Now what I have seen for this sitting it can remind us to see what is good and what is bad for us to victims or those who were traumatised. Now as I talk, various NGOs working trying to counsel affected people. Now as I talk people are becoming better, we have religious and traditional leaders who been talking to our people. Now the attitude has started changing. Even though when you go there you will see that the Trading Centre is developing very fast.
We asked for Agro technical school has been given by president and we have Kaguta bridge has been build and that is our achievement.
