Temporary inconvenience

300 LRA REBELS last week attacked a Local defence Unit at Agoro in Kitgum District and killed two civilians.Northern Uganda has been peaceful for more than a year so this is superficially disturbing. However, it can be seen in a more positive light.LRA leader Joseph Kony is under severe political and military pressure. Khartoum has not only cut off support for his operations but last week Sudanese government planes bombed Kony’s camps near Juba in an attempt to force him back to Uganda. In addition, the UPDF has deployed very heavily along the Sudan border especially in Kitgum district. Kony is being squeezed in a vice and has nowhere to go to. His only choice is to try and battle his way back into Uganda.Kony and the LRA would have been wiped out years ago if they did not have bases in southern Sudan. The UPDF is very confident that it can control the border and maintain security in northern Uganda. This is a tough challenge as Kony still has thousands of fighters under his command. However, the LRA will be weak, demoralised, hungry and short of munitions following the withdrawal of Sudanese government support. The UPDF should indeed be able to cope. There is no need for panic. However we must expect some residual insecurity in the north until the LRA is finally wiped out. As they are squeezed out of Sudan, some will surrender but some will resort to petty banditry inside Uganda. This will be a temporary inconvenience but it will be bearable knowing that it marks the final end of a rebellion that has been running for 15 years.