The people of Yumbe District in the West Nile sub-region are preparing to commemorate the annual Peace Day celebrations, which will take place on 12^th April 2025.

In a press briefing today at the Uganda Media Centre, the State Minister for Veteran Affairs, Hon. Huda Oleru Abason, alongside West Nile parliamentary MPs, revealed that the celebrations aim to promote peace, unity, and reconciliation, while also reflecting on the socio-economic transformation of the district.

The West Nile Peace Day celebrations, set to take place this month, will highlight the successes achieved from the peace agreement signed on December 24, 2002, between the Government of Uganda and the Uganda National Rescue Front II (UNRF II), the second rebel group to emerge from the region. The State Minister for Veteran Affairs will address the significance of this milestone during the celebrations.

Minister Huda stated that the primary purpose of the Peace Day celebrations is to provide a platform for the government to give an account of the implementation of the agreement that was signed.

The Minister further highlighted the government's plan to reopen new infrastructure that will connect West Nile to South Sudan, aiming to boost business development and combat poverty in the region.

The ministry also highlighted some of the achievements made during the 23 years of transformation in West Nile.

Between 1980 and 1985, General Moses Ali formed the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), which fought against the Milton Obote II regime. After the group's demobilization, General Ali Bamuze founded the Uganda National Rescue Front II, which primarily operated in the areas of Yumbe, Obongi, and Moyo.

The peace agreement signed in 2002 included the integration of Uganda National Rescue Front II soldiers into the Ugandan Army and the allocation of Shs9.2 billion in compensation to the group.