I did not accuse the LRA of personal interest!

Oct 05, 2006

SIR — I was taken aback on reading your story “Mao raps LRA team”. The reporter quoted an unnamed source and attributed some statements to me.

SIR — I was taken aback on reading your story “Mao raps LRA team”. The reporter quoted an unnamed source and attributed some statements to me. While it is true that I asked the LRA to table documents that pre-date the Juba peace talks in order to clarify their core convictions, it is not true that I accused them of merely peddling their personal interests. I suspect the unnamed source could be the NRM stalwart Sam Engola currently attending the Juba talks as an observer. Before the publication of this article, the New Vision reporter, Henry Mukasa, called me and I explained to him clearly what happened but I am shocked instead to see some fake news purportedly originating from “sources” at the closed meeting. I take great exception to this kind of fraudulent and unethical reporting.
I deny the contents of the story. It is a concoction intended to stir hostile sentiments at the talks and I discourage this kind of journalism. I did not warn of any perilous situation. instead I said that it is the duty of the team to safeguard the interests of the LRA combatants lest they be blamed should they negotiate a raw deal.
My main concern at the meeting was for the LRA to recognise that we are major stakeholders in solving the conflict. The LRA High Command and the LRA delegation will meet the observers in Ri Kwangba next week for detailed discussions. I have held a lengthy phone conversation with Vincent Otti and agreed on this meeting.
I hope the likes of Sam Engola will not chicken out of the meeting!

Norbert Mao
Chairman, Gulu District

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