UPDF deploys in Kilak

By Justin Moro THE Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) has deployed in Kilak county in Gulu district especially on the Gulu-Atiak-Adjumani road. This follows intelligence reports that a group of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels are planning attacks on motor vehicles travelling on the road during the Christmas season. “We are doing everything to avert any planned LRA attack or ambush on travellers on the road. We are not taking the reports lightly,” a security source said recently. Col. Geoffrey Muheesi, the UPDF 4th division commander in Gulu, confirmed the deployment but gave no details. He told The New Vision on Saturday that it was normal for the UPDF to deploy in order to track down LRA rebels harassing the local population in the area. Meanwhile Odwong Wod Ayo reports that UPDF soldiers are fighting against children as young as 13 years who have been forced into the war by the LRA rebels. This was revealed by the 4th Division Commander, Col. Geoffrey Muheesi, while addressing the people of Pabbo sub-county recently. He said the main group of LRA rebels numbering about 3000 was in the Sudan and that rebel commanders like Kwoyelo were surviving because of the collaboration of certain people from Pabbo. Muheesi said those who collaborated with rebels such as Kwoyelo were just thieves. He asked the people of Pabbo to trust the UPDF soldiers so that they get good results to enable them build up peace in the communities of Pabbo and Atiak. He said he had decided to form groups of seasoned commanders to deal with the situation.