BARLONYO MEMORIAL SITE

Situated about 26 kilometers north of Lira lies a beautiful Barlonyo village, a calm trading center adjacent River Moroto, Lira district-Lango sub region. Behind this tranquil village, there is Barlonyo memorial site which harbors a dark past the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels caused when hundreds of innocent people lost their lives. Over 121 LRA victims were buried in this memorial site making it one of significant tourist sites in northern Uganda. It was late in the afternoon on 21^st February 2014 that the LRA rebels under the command of Okot Odhiambo and Dominic Ongwen waged an attack in the Barlonyo internally displaced persons camp thus leaving hundreds of people dead. It is alleged that the rebel group burnt civilians live while inside their houses, hacked, clubbed, stabbed and shot. For those who survived killing, were abducted and marched north into Acholi land but most of them passed on while in captivity. The population of those who were abducted isn’t certain.

The rebel group overpowered the local Amuka militia and left about 18 soldiers dead, a militia group that had camped to offer protection in this area. At end, the rebels moved to the camp and set it on fire while beating the locals to death while killing children. The local residents at Barlonyo then came back home around 2006. Despite all the attacks waged in this area, critics allege that Barlonyo isn’t included in the list of incidents that Dominic Ongwen is charged with of current. Additionally, this area also served as one of the prime investigative sites for the ICC’s office of the prosecutor during the early days of investigation in northern Uganda. This has left many wondering why regardless of the evidences this area has been excluded.

In conclusion, Barlonyo memorial site is that one remarkable monument that you need not to miss to visit to explore what more about what occurred during the insurgency in northern Uganda at a time. This monument was established in commemoration of hundreds of the victims who lost their lives when they were attached by LRA rebel group.