1,350 Unrfii Rebels Surrender

By vision Reporter AROUND 1,350 combatants of the UNRF II rebel group and their families returned from the Sudan three days ago. They are headed by their leader Col Ali Bamuze and are now camped at Koka in Yumbe district. Since 1997 they have been based at Roja north of Kajo-Keji on the Sudan border.Another 400 members of UNRF II had registered and returned earlier this year. “They have crossed into Uganda and declared their intention to end their war against the state,” said defence minister Amama Mbabazi yesterday. “They are home to benefit from the AMnesty,” he said. “It’s very important because it was a force fighting against government and had previously enjoyed support from the Sudan government and had been causing insecurity in Yumbe.”A military officer added that the UNRF II had taken the opportunity to return to Uganda because they realised that the UPDF was unlikely to allow another armed rebel group to remain in the Sudan after it had finished its campaign against the LRA.Meanwhile, Ahmed Angulibo reports in Arua that Reserve Force Commander Lt. Gen. Salim Saleh has appealed to the people of West Nile region not to let war to return there again.Saleh made the appeal on Saturday while addressing the people of Ayivu at Ayivu county headquarters at Ondu Paraka, Arua district. Saleh had just launched the Ayivu Business Development Community. “I know people have died because of war. Through elders, I would appeal to the people not to allow war to come back to West Nile again,” Saleh added.Ends