Gulu LDU ordered to shoot armed thugs
May 26, 2009
THE UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema-Awany, has ordered the Local Defence Unit forces to shoot armed thugs reportedly disrupting the return of the internally displaced persons to their villages in northern Uganda.
By Dennis Ojwee
THE UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema-Awany, has ordered the Local Defence Unit forces to shoot armed thugs reportedly disrupting the return of the internally displaced persons to their villages in northern Uganda.
“Those thugs are causing fear and disrupting peace. They are slowing down the return of our people to their homes. I don’t want to hear about them anymore,†Otema-Awany said.
He was on Monday addressing mourners at the burial of the late Nehemiah Obito, 94, in Awere village, Odek sub-county in Gulu district.
Obito, a former soldier who fought in the Second World War, died on Friday in Gulu town after suffering from throat and chest cancer.
Obito was the father of Kenneth Onekalit-Obito, a former broadcaster with Radio Uganda. Otema-Awany re-assured the people of northern Uganda that the Lord’s Resistance Army would not return to terrorise them.
He encouraged the Acholi to grow food crops and eradicate famine and poverty. Gulu resident district commissioner Col. Walter Ochora called upon parents to send their children to school.
He said Acholi had suffered for over 22 years because of the LRA insurgency and could only recover through education.
Ochora urged the youth in the region to seek guidance and wisdom from their elders. He described the late Obito as a brave and diligent soldier, who fought to ensure peace in the world.
“This personality of a brave and dedicated soldier is rare to find. Young soldiers must emulate Obito to serve our country diligently,†Ochora said.
The Puranga clan chief, Jimmy Ocan-Luwala, warned the Acholi against fighting over land, saying it was causing death and dividing people.
THE UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema-Awany, has ordered the Local Defence Unit forces to shoot armed thugs reportedly disrupting the return of the internally displaced persons to their villages in northern Uganda.
“Those thugs are causing fear and disrupting peace. They are slowing down the return of our people to their homes. I don’t want to hear about them anymore,†Otema-Awany said.
He was on Monday addressing mourners at the burial of the late Nehemiah Obito, 94, in Awere village, Odek sub-county in Gulu district.
Obito, a former soldier who fought in the Second World War, died on Friday in Gulu town after suffering from throat and chest cancer.
Obito was the father of Kenneth Onekalit-Obito, a former broadcaster with Radio Uganda. Otema-Awany re-assured the people of northern Uganda that the Lord’s Resistance Army would not return to terrorise them.
He encouraged the Acholi to grow food crops and eradicate famine and poverty. Gulu resident district commissioner Col. Walter Ochora called upon parents to send their children to school.
He said Acholi had suffered for over 22 years because of the LRA insurgency and could only recover through education.
Ochora urged the youth in the region to seek guidance and wisdom from their elders. He described the late Obito as a brave and diligent soldier, who fought to ensure peace in the world.
“This personality of a brave and dedicated soldier is rare to find. Young soldiers must emulate Obito to serve our country diligently,†Ochora said.
The Puranga clan chief, Jimmy Ocan-Luwala, warned the Acholi against fighting over land, saying it was causing death and dividing people.