LRA’s Tabuley re-enters Teso region
Oct 07, 2003
ABOUT 600 LRA rebels led by Charles Tabuley have re-entered Teso.
By Emmy Allio and John Omoding
ABOUT 600 LRA rebels led by Charles Tabuley have re-entered Teso.
The army and local militia, Arrow Group, leaders yesterday said rebel chief Joseph Kony had sent five top commanders to the Teso region.
The group that brought with them more ammunition included commanders Onen Kamudolo, Ocan Bunia, Abudema and Kapere.
Army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said Kony, now based in Juba in southern Sudan, ordered the group to quit Pader and Kitgum districts where rebels loyal to his estranged deputy Vincent Otti operate.
Kony and his long-time deputy disagreed recently when Kony appointed Tabuley the “army commander†and left Otti as his “vice-president.â€
Military sources said the rift between Kony and Otti has reached such a level that Kony had ordered commanders loyal to Otti to be arrested. Otti’s loyalist commanders are named as Kwoyelo, Walter Komakech, Luwum Isaya and Lapanyikwala.
On LRA’s re-entry to Teso, Bantariza said, “These commanders had left teso when the pressure was too much on them. But Kony has forced them to return.â€
Capt. Mike Mukula, the state minister for health who is also the co-ordinator of the Arrow Group, said, “The people of Teso have been prepared for a long war against Kony rebels. So long as the will to fight them exists, we shall defeat them.â€
The LC3 chairman of Kapelebyong, Jimmy Eriau, put the number of the fresh LRA force to about 600.
Eriau said the rebel force was said to have entered into Katakwi district through Baritang - Morulem.
ABOUT 600 LRA rebels led by Charles Tabuley have re-entered Teso.
The army and local militia, Arrow Group, leaders yesterday said rebel chief Joseph Kony had sent five top commanders to the Teso region.
The group that brought with them more ammunition included commanders Onen Kamudolo, Ocan Bunia, Abudema and Kapere.
Army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said Kony, now based in Juba in southern Sudan, ordered the group to quit Pader and Kitgum districts where rebels loyal to his estranged deputy Vincent Otti operate.
Kony and his long-time deputy disagreed recently when Kony appointed Tabuley the “army commander†and left Otti as his “vice-president.â€
Military sources said the rift between Kony and Otti has reached such a level that Kony had ordered commanders loyal to Otti to be arrested. Otti’s loyalist commanders are named as Kwoyelo, Walter Komakech, Luwum Isaya and Lapanyikwala.
On LRA’s re-entry to Teso, Bantariza said, “These commanders had left teso when the pressure was too much on them. But Kony has forced them to return.â€
Capt. Mike Mukula, the state minister for health who is also the co-ordinator of the Arrow Group, said, “The people of Teso have been prepared for a long war against Kony rebels. So long as the will to fight them exists, we shall defeat them.â€
The LC3 chairman of Kapelebyong, Jimmy Eriau, put the number of the fresh LRA force to about 600.
Eriau said the rebel force was said to have entered into Katakwi district through Baritang - Morulem.