Army Rescues 83 Children From Kony Rebels

Sep 13, 2002

A total of 83 children have been rescued by the UPDF in various battles with the LRA rebels since September 2.

By Dennis Ojwee
A total of 83 children have been rescued by the UPDF in various battles with the LRA rebels since September 2.

The army paraded the children before the press in Gulu barracks on Thursday afternoon.

The UPDF 4th division spokesman, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, said 50 of the children were rescued in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts.

He said 20 escaped during fighting, while 18 were released by rebels under pressure from the UPDF.
In two separate attacks on Wednesday, rebels killed eight civilians in Gulu and in Minakulu in Apac.

Local security sources at Koro, Layibi and Bobi said two people were killed at Koro Labwoch, one from Layibi Kirombe-Godown and five at Minakulu in Oyam south, about 17km on Gulu-Kampala road.

One person, Opiyo Lunge, son to Odong was killed at Layibi-Godown.

The LC report said the rebels divided into four groups and raided Koro Labwoch, Layibi Godown and Minakulu at night.

The Minakulu attack was close to Aporo-Ocero primary school, where five civilians were chopped to death with pangas. The dead were not identified.

The rebels broke into shops and looted goods and abducted 15 civilians to carry the loot.

The UPDF 4th division commander, Col. Andrew Gutti (right), said the UPDF have been deployed in most areas of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader to strenghten zonal and patrol forces.
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