LRA battalion commander Opio netted in Kampala

May 19, 2012

A commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who sneaked into the country has been arrested in Kampala, the Inspector General of Police has said.

By Pascal Kwesiga

A commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who sneaked into the country has been arrested in Kampala, the Inspector General of Police has said.

Police chief Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura confirmed that Lt. Col. Denis Opio was arrested in Muyenga, a city suburb over crimes relating to vandalising cars, burglary and theft.

Kayihura said Opio, who was an LRA battalion commander, has never been granted amnesty by the Government.

The chairman of Muyenga hill zone, Yasin Omar, told Kayihura that Opio was arrested four days ago and detained at Kisugu Police post.

The officer in charge of the police post, Vincent Aduga, said the 28-year old Opio had been residing in Kidokolo zone in Kawempe Division.

According to Aduga, Opio was abducted during an attack on his village in 1997. In 2000, he sustained injuries during a battle between the LRA and the UPDF in Amuru district and was abandoned by his colleagues and left to die in the bush.

However, a Good Samaritan found him and took him to Lacor Hospital in Gulu, where he received medical treatment as his mother took care of him.

Opio, who is a son of former UPDF officer, the late Capt. Francis Onono, came to Kampala in 2008.

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