UPDF trims Kony rebels by 40%
Oct 25, 2002
REBEL chief Joseph Kony is rapidly losing fighters. Army chief Maj. Gen. James Kazini said yesterday Kony’s 1,500-strong force in Uganda had been reduced by 40%, or to about 900, thanks to the UPDF’s sustained pressure on them.
By Dennis Ojwee
REBEL chief Joseph Kony is rapidly losing fighters. Army chief Maj. Gen. James Kazini said yesterday Kony’s 1,500-strong force in Uganda had been reduced by 40%, or to about 900, thanks to the UPDF’s sustained pressure on them.
In the latest clash yesterday, three rebels were killed and another captured in a fierce fight in Koc Ongako in Omoro, Gulu district.
Kazini said many rebels had been killed, captured or had surrendered.
Addressing journalists in his office at Gulu’s UPDF fourth division headquarters on Tuesday, Kazini said Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels had been reduced by about 600.
He said Kony’s original eight fighting groups had been reduced both in Uganda and southern Sudan, where the rebels have bases.
Kazini said about 100 fighters are active in Pader, 250 in Gulu and none in Kitgum district at the time of the press conference. He said most of the people still in Kony’s control were captives.
“There is no LRA fighting group in Kitgum district at the moment,†Kazini said.
He reiterated his pledge to resign if Kony was not defeated by December 31.
He said Kony had 10 commandments, which include killing as a punishment. He promised to publish the commandments.
“But Kony will soon be no more. We shall either capture or kill him by December 31, the date that I set. There is no doubt about it,†Kazini said, smiling.
He said Kony would no longer criss-cross the Uganda - Sudan border freely.
Kazini, flanked by the UPDF 4th Division chief, Col. Andrew Gutti and the Garrison commander Maj. Frank Kanyarutoke, said the UPDF was hunting James Opoka, the former political assistant to the now exiled former presidential candidate, Col. Kizza Besigye. Opoka is said to be the new LRA commander.
Meanwhile, the Koch Ongako battle lasted from 11:00pm to 12 midnight, 12 miles southwest of Gulu town, security sources said.
Three machineguns were recovered from the rebels said to have been commanded by Opiro - Anaka. Opiro hails from Anaka sub-county, Nwoya county, west of Gulu town.
The over-all UPDF intelligence chief in the north, Lt. Col. Charles Otema-Awany, said yesterday at least three LRA fighters were killed and their guns recovered. He said the 15 UPDF soldiers who fought the rebels suffered no casualties.
“The rebels have now been weakened. They are daily breaking up into small groups to try and hide from the tight deployment of the UPDF in Kitgum, Gulu and Pader districts. But we shall get them wherever they try to run,†he said.
REBEL chief Joseph Kony is rapidly losing fighters. Army chief Maj. Gen. James Kazini said yesterday Kony’s 1,500-strong force in Uganda had been reduced by 40%, or to about 900, thanks to the UPDF’s sustained pressure on them.
In the latest clash yesterday, three rebels were killed and another captured in a fierce fight in Koc Ongako in Omoro, Gulu district.
Kazini said many rebels had been killed, captured or had surrendered.
Addressing journalists in his office at Gulu’s UPDF fourth division headquarters on Tuesday, Kazini said Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels had been reduced by about 600.
He said Kony’s original eight fighting groups had been reduced both in Uganda and southern Sudan, where the rebels have bases.
Kazini said about 100 fighters are active in Pader, 250 in Gulu and none in Kitgum district at the time of the press conference. He said most of the people still in Kony’s control were captives.
“There is no LRA fighting group in Kitgum district at the moment,†Kazini said.
He reiterated his pledge to resign if Kony was not defeated by December 31.
He said Kony had 10 commandments, which include killing as a punishment. He promised to publish the commandments.
“But Kony will soon be no more. We shall either capture or kill him by December 31, the date that I set. There is no doubt about it,†Kazini said, smiling.
He said Kony would no longer criss-cross the Uganda - Sudan border freely.
Kazini, flanked by the UPDF 4th Division chief, Col. Andrew Gutti and the Garrison commander Maj. Frank Kanyarutoke, said the UPDF was hunting James Opoka, the former political assistant to the now exiled former presidential candidate, Col. Kizza Besigye. Opoka is said to be the new LRA commander.
Meanwhile, the Koch Ongako battle lasted from 11:00pm to 12 midnight, 12 miles southwest of Gulu town, security sources said.
Three machineguns were recovered from the rebels said to have been commanded by Opiro - Anaka. Opiro hails from Anaka sub-county, Nwoya county, west of Gulu town.
The over-all UPDF intelligence chief in the north, Lt. Col. Charles Otema-Awany, said yesterday at least three LRA fighters were killed and their guns recovered. He said the 15 UPDF soldiers who fought the rebels suffered no casualties.
“The rebels have now been weakened. They are daily breaking up into small groups to try and hide from the tight deployment of the UPDF in Kitgum, Gulu and Pader districts. But we shall get them wherever they try to run,†he said.