Publication date: Monday, 9th December, 2002
By John Thawite
The UPDF has disarmed at least 88 Congolese soldiers who fled into Ntoroko, Bundibugyo district, from ethnic fighting in Ituri region.
The fugitive soldiers caused panic as they crossed River Semliki to Ntoroko landing site from Tehomia in Ituri region, eastern DR Congo.
Sources in Ntoroko said the uniformed soldiers brought their wives with them.
This followed a bitter power struggle that hit the leadership of UPC (Congolese Peoples Union) led by the Thomas Lubanga and his defence minister Chief Kawa.
Kawa’s brother, Patrick Kabarole, commanding the Kawa faction, led the soldiers into Uganda. Kawa is reportedly in Kampala.
The Rwenzori Mountain Alpine Brigade intelligence officer, Lt. Paul Muwonge, confirmed the reports but declined to give details.
“We have disarmed and detained them under heavy security at one of our units in Ntoroko,” a military source said. Ends
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