No rebel enlisting

By James Oloch THE MP for Lira Municipality Cecilia Ogwal has denied allegations of rebel recruitment in Lango sub- region. Ogwal said the Langi would not even support Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, despite the support he enjoys in Lango, if he decided to start an armed struggle on Museveni’s government. “Langi cannot and will not support any war against the government of Uganda under the leadership of President Museveni,” she said. Ogwal made the remark at the burial of the late mayor of Lira Municipality, Jasper Omodo Anyuru, on September 11 in Omoto, Acaba sub-county in Apac district. Omodo died on September 7 at Mbale hospital. Ogwal told mourners who turned up to bid farewell to their fallen hero that the Langi made a declaration in 1987 that they would not support armed conflict and came out of the bush and embraced peace. “There are no activities to indicate that Langi are being recruited into rebel activities to join Dr. Besigye to wage war on the government of Uganda. “We supported Besigye constitutionally during the presidential election like any other citizen of Uganda who has the right to choose a leader of his choice,” Ogwal said. “If we supported Besigye, it does not mean that we support all his views. Ours (support) was on the democratic process through peaceful means not militarily,” Ogwal said. She challenged anybody among the mourners, who was aware of any recruitment of rebels in Lango, to come out and tell the people where it was taking place and list the people missing in the area. She accused the movement of causing panic when local council elections were drawing near. Ogwal said rumours that Besigye was recruiting youth in Lango were lies being manufactured by government agents. “Go and tell the RDC and the security agents that Lango is peaceful, no rebel recruitment in Lango and that we shall not support any armed conflict on our government,” Ogwal said.