Kony LRA Rebels Enter Gulu

By Dennis Ojwee“BRIG.” Vincent Otti, the second in command of the LRA rebels, is reported to be in Atiak sub-district, 44 miles on the Gulu-Nimule road, with about 700 fighters, security sources said yesterday.Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza yesterday said Otti had reached Atiak sub-district with between 600-700 fighters from Southern Sudan. The group entered Uganda from Atepi, near Kitgum last Saturday. Bantariza said intelligence reports indicated Otti was sent by Joseph Kony, the LRA leader who has remained in southern Sudan, to move to Atiak and link up with the rebel group purportedly under James Opoka and commanded by Kwoyelo-latin. The Opoka group, sources said, had been operating in Kilak county. Bantariza said no rebel atrocities had been reported since Otti’s group entered Atiak in Gulu district. He said the rebels wanted to kill civilians, loot property including food, and try to dodge and confuse the UPDF military intelligence in Uganda and in the Sudan. Bantariza said the rebels might cross back into Sudan the moment the UPDF in Sudan pursues them into Uganda.He said, “Joseph Kony wants us (UPDF) troops to pull out of southern Sudan to follow their movements so that they use the opportunity to cross back to their former bases in Sudan.“Since we are aware of those tricks, our forces in Sudan can never make that mistake. Otti and Kony must know we shall get them. There is no way the UPDF will fail to track Otti now that he is in Uganda,” Bantariza said.Ends