Army deployed to block LRA
Oct 20, 2010
The UPDF has heavily deployed on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Southern Sudan to prevent the LRA rebels from returning to northern Uganda to disrupt next year’s general elections, the army has said.
By Chris Ocowun
The UPDF has heavily deployed on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Southern Sudan to prevent the LRA rebels from returning to northern Uganda to disrupt next year’s general elections, the army has said.
The regional army spokesman, Capt. Peter Mugisa, said there were thugs in northern Uganda claiming to be LRA rebels, stealing people’s property and telling them to go back to the camps to avoid being killed.
He also said some Acholi politicians were spreading rumours that Kony was about to return to northern Uganda to destabilise the region.
“Kony is nowhere near Acholi land,†Mugisa said. According to the UPDF 4th Division intelligence officer, Maj. Victor Opera, some NGOs recently reported that Kony was planning to return to the region to disrupt the polls.
Asked where the rebels get their supplies from, Opera said the source was not clear but added that sometimes they invade poorly-guarded Sudan’s SPLA and steal arms and food.
Opera made the remarks while parading six LRA combatants, who defected in the Central African Republic and the DR Congo, at the UPDF child protection unit in Gulu on Monday.
The defectors, who included two corporals and one woman, said Kony was heading towards the Central African Republic and Darfur, with a few armed fighters.
He added that the former rebels defected from Kony’s special brigade. “We have made tactical deployments of our forces from Zombo to Zeu, and Kitgum areas, to deny the rebels entrance into northern Uganda. We also carry out regular security meetings between Uganda, the DR Congo and Southern Sudan to ensure that we create early warnings,†Opera said.
The UPDF has heavily deployed on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Southern Sudan to prevent the LRA rebels from returning to northern Uganda to disrupt next year’s general elections, the army has said.
The regional army spokesman, Capt. Peter Mugisa, said there were thugs in northern Uganda claiming to be LRA rebels, stealing people’s property and telling them to go back to the camps to avoid being killed.
He also said some Acholi politicians were spreading rumours that Kony was about to return to northern Uganda to destabilise the region.
“Kony is nowhere near Acholi land,†Mugisa said. According to the UPDF 4th Division intelligence officer, Maj. Victor Opera, some NGOs recently reported that Kony was planning to return to the region to disrupt the polls.
Asked where the rebels get their supplies from, Opera said the source was not clear but added that sometimes they invade poorly-guarded Sudan’s SPLA and steal arms and food.
Opera made the remarks while parading six LRA combatants, who defected in the Central African Republic and the DR Congo, at the UPDF child protection unit in Gulu on Monday.
The defectors, who included two corporals and one woman, said Kony was heading towards the Central African Republic and Darfur, with a few armed fighters.
He added that the former rebels defected from Kony’s special brigade. “We have made tactical deployments of our forces from Zombo to Zeu, and Kitgum areas, to deny the rebels entrance into northern Uganda. We also carry out regular security meetings between Uganda, the DR Congo and Southern Sudan to ensure that we create early warnings,†Opera said.