A section of the Teso war victim’s claimants have raised alarm over unbearable expenses they have incurred while following the court case that has taken many years before to be decided upon.
The claimants led by the former Member of Parliament Kapelebyong Julius Ochen are trying to seek justice over lost lives and properties.
They have complaints over the costs they are incurring in attempts to seek for justice before courts of law.
The victims have been in Soroti High Court since 2006 and have allegedly spent their hard earned money to facilitate their travels, meals, accommodation and paying lawyers’ fees.
Last year 2021 the Soroti High Court ordered the government to pay the claimants that lodged their case to the courts of law seeking compensation.
Justice Henry Adonyo said that the Attorney General had up to December 22, 2021, to complete the verification exercise of the claimants.
The lawyers representing claimants were given up to November 15, 2021, to serve the Office of the Attorney General with complete lists of claimants to enable the verification exercise.
Richard Omongole, a lawyer representing the claims states that Imodot’s case now has 274 claimants from 105 initially registered while former Kapelebyong County MP, Julius Ocen is yet to harmonize the list of 205,000 claimants with the Attorney General.
The war claimants court case on 14th November 2022 had come up for ruling on whether the court should proceed to grant the claimants consent judgment with the attorney general, award them costs and compensation.
Leya Grace Otin, 60 years old from Bukedea district told our reporter that she has frequented court since 2006 and every time she comes to court.
She spends about UGX 50,000 on transport and meals.
John Robert Ezekel Omuria from Malera sub-county in Bukedea district said that he cannot ascertain how much he has spent so far on transport coming to afro from Bukedea to attend court whenever called upon to come.
Patrick Elobu Angonu from Kuju sub-county Amuria district told our reporter that they are determined to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion despite the high costs they so far registered.
Steven Ebitu 77 years from Kaberamaido district the Chairperson War claimants of Kaberamaido and Kalaki district affirmed they have spent dearly during the cause of pursuing the case.
Emmanuel Ekima War Victims Claimants lawyer representing Omongole and Co Advocates told our reporter they demand compensation from the government against lost lives, property and expenses that will call for billions of shillings.