Museveni talks to Otti
Dec 10, 2006
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday talked by satellite phone to LRA deputy chairman, Vincent Otti, in the first direct talks between the head of State and the LRA leadership.
By Emmy Allio, Chris Ocowun and Arthur OkotÂ
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday talked by satellite phone to LRA deputy chairman, Vincent Otti, in the first direct talks between the head of State and the LRA leadership.
Gulu RDC Col. Walter Ochora, who was present during the telephone conversation, told Mega FM radio that the two talked for 30 minutes.
According to Ochora, Museveni and Otti agreed that the UPDF would withdraw its troops east of the Nimule-Juba road, while the LRA would withdraw their fighters north of the Juba-Torit road.
Otti told Museveni that the rebels were not assembling in the designated areas because of the presence of the UPDF near the assembly points.
The President assured the LRA commander of his commitment to the talks and to peace in the north.
Otti (above) also asked the President to allow Kony’s mother to stay for some more days with her son in Garamba, a request which Museveni granted.
On Saturday, there was great excitement when 83-year-old Norah Anek met her son, Joseph Kony, after 17 years of separation.
According to journalist John Lachambel of Mega FM, who accompanied the group, the two hugged each other for minutes, tears in their eyes, only muttering “God is great! God is great!â€
Anek told her son she had brought a message from the people of Uganda. “I have come with a message of peace. The people want peace. I am asking you to make peace out of this process,†she said.
Kony reportedly commended Museveni for taking care of his mother and facilitating her travel to Garamba, saying it was a good gesture for the peace process.
“Truly, mummy, now that you are here I believe the message you brought. And there will be peace. We also want it,†Kony was heard telling his mother.
Anek’s visit was organised by the state house, which chartered a plane up to Juba. The team then proceeded in a UN helicopter to Ri-Kwangba, at the Sudan-Congolese border, from where they walked for another 15 kilometres to Garamba.
Anek was accompanied by a medical doctor and a private secretary of state house, Judith Obina, who has been looking after Kony’s family for years.
The team headed by Ochora and former minister of state Owiny-Dollo held meetings with the LRA throughout Sunday.
According to Ochora, they cleared rumours that UPDF planned to attack the LRA on Christmas Day and that the government was sending poisonous sodas to the rebels.
Ochora appealed to the Acholi people to have hope and avoid petty issues and sending contradictory messages to the rebels.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday talked by satellite phone to LRA deputy chairman, Vincent Otti, in the first direct talks between the head of State and the LRA leadership.
Gulu RDC Col. Walter Ochora, who was present during the telephone conversation, told Mega FM radio that the two talked for 30 minutes.
According to Ochora, Museveni and Otti agreed that the UPDF would withdraw its troops east of the Nimule-Juba road, while the LRA would withdraw their fighters north of the Juba-Torit road.
Otti told Museveni that the rebels were not assembling in the designated areas because of the presence of the UPDF near the assembly points.
The President assured the LRA commander of his commitment to the talks and to peace in the north.
Otti (above) also asked the President to allow Kony’s mother to stay for some more days with her son in Garamba, a request which Museveni granted.
On Saturday, there was great excitement when 83-year-old Norah Anek met her son, Joseph Kony, after 17 years of separation.
According to journalist John Lachambel of Mega FM, who accompanied the group, the two hugged each other for minutes, tears in their eyes, only muttering “God is great! God is great!â€
Anek told her son she had brought a message from the people of Uganda. “I have come with a message of peace. The people want peace. I am asking you to make peace out of this process,†she said.
Kony reportedly commended Museveni for taking care of his mother and facilitating her travel to Garamba, saying it was a good gesture for the peace process.
“Truly, mummy, now that you are here I believe the message you brought. And there will be peace. We also want it,†Kony was heard telling his mother.
Anek’s visit was organised by the state house, which chartered a plane up to Juba. The team then proceeded in a UN helicopter to Ri-Kwangba, at the Sudan-Congolese border, from where they walked for another 15 kilometres to Garamba.
Anek was accompanied by a medical doctor and a private secretary of state house, Judith Obina, who has been looking after Kony’s family for years.
The team headed by Ochora and former minister of state Owiny-Dollo held meetings with the LRA throughout Sunday.
According to Ochora, they cleared rumours that UPDF planned to attack the LRA on Christmas Day and that the government was sending poisonous sodas to the rebels.
Ochora appealed to the Acholi people to have hope and avoid petty issues and sending contradictory messages to the rebels.