Army Hunts For Opoka

THE UPDF has launched a major hunt for James Opoka, an aide of exiled former presidential candidate Col. Kizza Besigye, intelligence sources have said. Felix Osike reports that the sources said they had got reliable information that Opoka and other rebels are currently hiding in Kilak hills in Gulu.“We are hunting for him. We know he is in Kilak hills. He brought supplies including satellite phones and medicine. We shall soon capture or kill him there,” said a security source in Gulu.In Kampala, army Spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza confirmed the UPDF’s pursuit of Opoka who is said to be a co-ordinator of an LRA rebel faction led by one Okweyolo.Sources said five other supporters of Besigye joined Opoka in Kilajk hills recently and that the group is also operating in Zoka forest.President Yoweri Museveni recently said the army had evidence linking Besigye and some of his supporters to the LRA.In Palotaka Southern Sudan, 50 LRA rebels were killed when UPDF 301 Brigade led by Lt.Col Shariff Gava attacked their new base in Katire near Acholi mountains. Five UPDF soldiers were injured in the fighting which took place between 4:00pm an 6:00pm on Friday.Bantariza said among the LRA who were killed was a Major who has not been identified yet. The UPDF recovered peeps for the rank of Major at scene where he was killed.The “Operation Iron-Fist” overall commander, Brigadier Aronda Nyakairima, said Kony and his forces would be wiped out soon.“We shall get Kony. He no longer has a safe haven. He is on the run. If he does not surrender, he will be killed,” Aronda said.He declined to give the deadline when the operation would end.In a related development, the UPDF has changed it’s tactical headquarters from Magwi to Palotoka which is 48 from the Uganda-Sudan border. Aronda said the decision was taken to ensure easy mobility and quick response. Kony is said to be 40 miles from the Sudan border. Army Commander Maj. Gen. James Kazini, told journalists in Gulu yesterday that he would resign by the end of the year if Kony is not wiped out.There was heavy movement of troops and their equipment on Sunday from Magwi to Palotaka ahead of an offensive against the LRA.Aronda briefed journalists on the anti-rebel offensive but did not allowed them to visit five camps captured from the LRA rebels.Ends