Martin Mugarra Bahinduka the State Minister of Tourism is disturbed by the level at which Barlonyo Massacre site in Lira District is being mismanaged.
LRA rebels killed more than 300 people in an Internally Displaced People’s Camp (IDPC) in Barlonyo village, Ogur Sub County in Lira District on February 21, 2004. The dead were later buried in a mass grave.
The Ministry of Tourism committed to upgrading the site into a tourism destination in 2019. It is so sad that the local people have turned the massacre site a market site where vendors displaying their merchandise on the monument. The site ground also has turned into a grazing area for domestic animals.
the Minister of State for Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny expressed disappointment in how the residents seem not to value the significance of the grave and its importance in their lives. During the 20th memorial ceremony held at the site, she was on Tuesday speaking.
As they wait for permanent interventions from the Tourism Ministry, she tasked the local leaders to protect the site. “the government is planning to compensate the survivors.” She added.
The Minister of State for Tourism Martin Mugarra Bahinduka said that that protecting the site would promote posterity for not only the survivors but also the community.
Local leaders asked the tourism ministry to consider fencing off the area to control not only stray animals but also people who are currently misusing the place.
The Minister of Tourism at Lango Cultural Foundation Patrick Abal asked the Ministry to facelift the Barlonyo Memorial site to act as a central place for commemoration of all massacre sites in Lango.
To spearhead the motion, Mugarra tasked the cultural leaders.
The main celebrant of the ceremony Bishop Emeritus Alfred Acur Okodi earlier wondered why the people of Barlonyo are not to be bothered by the event. He called for psychosocial support for the locals.
Between 2010 and 2013, the Ministry of Tourism with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs renovated the mass grave and constructed a documentary resource center at Barlonyo where women can sell their crafts to tourists
