Uganda’s government says it will compensate victims who lost lips and ears to rebel violence

Uganda gov’t says it will compensate rebel victims

KAMPALA, Uganda — A Ugandan presidential adviser says that more than 5,000 people whose lips and ears were cut off by rebels will receive compensation.

Richard Todwong told The Associated Press on Thursday that victims have begun registering after the president announced that mutilated victims would receive aid.

The Lord’s Resistance Army has been waging one of Africa’s longest and most brutal rebellions for more than 20 years. Its leaders are the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

The rebels are accused of abducting children and cutting off people’s lips and ears as warnings. Human rights groups say the rebels also have attacked civilians in Congo, Central African Republic and Sudan.