Kony Attacks More Trucks
Sep 23, 2002
THREE people were on Saturday killed and seven others injured in two separate ambushes on vehicles in Pader and Lira districts.
By Dennis Ojwee
THREE people were on Saturday killed and seven others injured in two separate ambushes on vehicles in Pader and Lira districts.
In Pader, a tipper lorry belonging to Ongom Apil of Patongo township was ambushed and three people killed on the spot.
The evening attack took place at Lukee, about six miles from Patongo township.
The LC5 chairman, Edwin Komakech, yesterday urged the army, especially its 5th Division, to curb persistent ambushes by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
Komakech said another attack on Ogom UPDF detachment on the Kitgum - Gulu road was foiled on Saturday evening following a tip-off by a woman.
The soldiers repulsed the rebels before they could attack.
The other ambush took place at Amin-Tinyo, Adwari sub-county, Otuke, Lira, where seven passengers, including the driver, Ojara, 35, were injured by the rebels around mid-day. The driver was shot in the leg.
Sources said the Nissan Sahara, Reg. No. UEE 604, belonging to John Oluto, 38, of Patongo township was burnt. Among the injured were Yovan Awich, 40, a teacher from Patongo, Ray Apako Ocaya, 42, and Aldo Opete, 34.
In another incident, Kony rebels attacked a UPDF tanker between Palenga and Bobi, about 14 miles on Gulu - Kampala road.
One of the soldiers on the tanker was reportedly killed and four others injured. The UPDF 4th Division commander, Col. Andrew Guti, said only one soldier was injured.
“We are still investigating the matter. It is premature to release information before the investigation is over,†Guti said. He promised to release the details later.
On the increasing road ambushes, Guti, who did not confirm the Pader and Lira attacks, ruled out provision of army-escorted convoys.
He said, “We are not creating convoys on roads. The only thing to escort will be the vehicles belonging to the World Food Programme delivering food to internally-displaced persons because the drivers fear travelling on the roads without escorts.â€
Another weekend attack was reported in Bar Atero village, Lamogi sub-county, Omoro, about 37 miles on the Gulu - Moroto road. Sources said about 10 villagers were abducted and unspecified property looted. The army spokesman, Maj. Shaban Bantariza, yesterday referred The New Vision to the 4th Division spokesperson, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, for comment.
Ankunda did not answer his phone. Sources said he was attending a meeting at the Division headquarters. However, Lalogi LC3 chairman, Santos Okello, confirmed the incident and appealed to the army to offer more soldiers to provide security to the traumatised villagers.
There have been attempts to hold peace talks with the rebels but these efforts are yet to yield results.
Ends
THREE people were on Saturday killed and seven others injured in two separate ambushes on vehicles in Pader and Lira districts.
In Pader, a tipper lorry belonging to Ongom Apil of Patongo township was ambushed and three people killed on the spot.
The evening attack took place at Lukee, about six miles from Patongo township.
The LC5 chairman, Edwin Komakech, yesterday urged the army, especially its 5th Division, to curb persistent ambushes by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
Komakech said another attack on Ogom UPDF detachment on the Kitgum - Gulu road was foiled on Saturday evening following a tip-off by a woman.
The soldiers repulsed the rebels before they could attack.
The other ambush took place at Amin-Tinyo, Adwari sub-county, Otuke, Lira, where seven passengers, including the driver, Ojara, 35, were injured by the rebels around mid-day. The driver was shot in the leg.
Sources said the Nissan Sahara, Reg. No. UEE 604, belonging to John Oluto, 38, of Patongo township was burnt. Among the injured were Yovan Awich, 40, a teacher from Patongo, Ray Apako Ocaya, 42, and Aldo Opete, 34.
In another incident, Kony rebels attacked a UPDF tanker between Palenga and Bobi, about 14 miles on Gulu - Kampala road.
One of the soldiers on the tanker was reportedly killed and four others injured. The UPDF 4th Division commander, Col. Andrew Guti, said only one soldier was injured.
“We are still investigating the matter. It is premature to release information before the investigation is over,†Guti said. He promised to release the details later.
On the increasing road ambushes, Guti, who did not confirm the Pader and Lira attacks, ruled out provision of army-escorted convoys.
He said, “We are not creating convoys on roads. The only thing to escort will be the vehicles belonging to the World Food Programme delivering food to internally-displaced persons because the drivers fear travelling on the roads without escorts.â€
Another weekend attack was reported in Bar Atero village, Lamogi sub-county, Omoro, about 37 miles on the Gulu - Moroto road. Sources said about 10 villagers were abducted and unspecified property looted. The army spokesman, Maj. Shaban Bantariza, yesterday referred The New Vision to the 4th Division spokesperson, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, for comment.
Ankunda did not answer his phone. Sources said he was attending a meeting at the Division headquarters. However, Lalogi LC3 chairman, Santos Okello, confirmed the incident and appealed to the army to offer more soldiers to provide security to the traumatised villagers.
There have been attempts to hold peace talks with the rebels but these efforts are yet to yield results.
Ends