More UPDF deploy in Pader
Oct 08, 2002
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered the deployment of more UPDF troops in Pader, Lira and Gulu districts to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, military sources said on Monday
BY Justin Moro in Gulu
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered the deployment of more UPDF troops in Pader, Lira and Gulu districts to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, military sources said on Monday.
Truckloads of singing soldiers roared into Lira district on Sunday and Monday. Some headed for Pader district.
Pader resident district commissioner Amaitum Emojong said, “More UPDF soldiers are being deployed in Pader to fight the LRA rebels and this is in line with Mzee (Museveni’s) commitment to restoring peace in the north and the country in general.â€
The UPDF 4th Division spokesman, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, said it was normal troop movement to beef up security there.
“The extra troop deployment is meant to beef up security in the area to fight the LRA rebels,†Ankunda said.
Emojong, who is the chairman of the district security committee, said the UPDF and the Government were working hard to ensure that peace returns to Acholi region so that development can take off as in other parts of the country.
“The Government has got so many development programmes for the north which can only be effectively done or carried out where there is total peace. We want to see the LRA war end,†he said.
Akunda said with the creation and deployment of zonal forces and the intensified helicopter raids on rebel hideouts, the LRA will be flushed out.
The army spokesman in Gulu also commended the local civilians for heeding the UPDF call to vacate their villages to make it easier for the army to pursue the rebels.
He said the UPDF helicopter gunships have made successful raids on the LRA in Atoo and Kilak Hills, Gulu.
“The security situation in the north continues to improve as the army intensifies its campaign,†Ankunda said yesterday.
UPDF has been pursuing Kony rebels inside southern Sudan after Kampala and Khartoum signed an agreement which allowed the UPDF to do so.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has ordered the deployment of more UPDF troops in Pader, Lira and Gulu districts to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, military sources said on Monday.
Truckloads of singing soldiers roared into Lira district on Sunday and Monday. Some headed for Pader district.
Pader resident district commissioner Amaitum Emojong said, “More UPDF soldiers are being deployed in Pader to fight the LRA rebels and this is in line with Mzee (Museveni’s) commitment to restoring peace in the north and the country in general.â€
The UPDF 4th Division spokesman, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, said it was normal troop movement to beef up security there.
“The extra troop deployment is meant to beef up security in the area to fight the LRA rebels,†Ankunda said.
Emojong, who is the chairman of the district security committee, said the UPDF and the Government were working hard to ensure that peace returns to Acholi region so that development can take off as in other parts of the country.
“The Government has got so many development programmes for the north which can only be effectively done or carried out where there is total peace. We want to see the LRA war end,†he said.
Akunda said with the creation and deployment of zonal forces and the intensified helicopter raids on rebel hideouts, the LRA will be flushed out.
The army spokesman in Gulu also commended the local civilians for heeding the UPDF call to vacate their villages to make it easier for the army to pursue the rebels.
He said the UPDF helicopter gunships have made successful raids on the LRA in Atoo and Kilak Hills, Gulu.
“The security situation in the north continues to improve as the army intensifies its campaign,†Ankunda said yesterday.
UPDF has been pursuing Kony rebels inside southern Sudan after Kampala and Khartoum signed an agreement which allowed the UPDF to do so.