UPDF kills 10 rebels

Oct 10, 2003

AT least 10 Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels were killed yesterday in a fierce battle at the Local Defence Unit detachment in Pajule, Aruu county, Pader district.

By Dennis Ojwee
AT least 10 Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels were killed yesterday in a fierce battle at the Local Defence Unit detachment in Pajule, Aruu county, Pader district.

Eight semi-propelled grenades and nine guns were recovered by the UPDF from the rebels, the army said yesterday.

Between 50 and 100 rebels attacked the LDU defence at Pajule trading centre from two sides, but were repulsed by a UPDF force, Army spokesman in northern Uganda Lt Paddy Ankunda said.

“It was as great independence happening for the UPDF this week.

“We hope that this great success will go on with the continued pursuit and quick responses against rebels by our forces,” Ankunda said.

The UPDF intelligence officer in charge of Operation Iron Fist, Lt. Col. Charles Otema-awany said yesterday the rebels were commanded by the self-styled LRA field commander, Raskan Lukwiya, who escaped.

He said there were few minor injuries on the UPDF.

He said the army recovered eight SMGs and some rounds of ammunition.

“The rebels thought they would overrun the detach ment since their number was big, but they got it very rough and our forces taught them a lesson. We hope they will learn from this not to attempt to attack any of our detaches again,” he said.

He added that another group of rebels under Vincent Otti has been moving along the same corridor in Pajule.

He said Otti was at logger heads with Kony and there were indicators that Otti intended to come out of the bush with some of his junior commanders.

He said fear of pressure and persecution from Kony was impeding Otti to surrender.
“But he will not come out without the consent of Kony because he fears that he will kill him. The army urges him not to fear coming out, so as to move a step ahead in trying to restore peace in the region,” he said.

The LRA has been fighting the Government since 1988. Some 1.2 million people have been displaced while thousands have been killed in various ambushes.
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