Museveni Meets Kony Ex-Bosses
Sep 24, 2002
TEN former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) officers have renounced the continued senseless killings of innocent and unarmed civilians by the terrorist group led by Joseph Kony.
By James Odong
TEN former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) officers have renounced the continued senseless killings of innocent and unarmed civilians by the terrorist group led by Joseph Kony.
The 10, who surrendered to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) over the last two years, made the renunciation yesterday while meeting President Yoweri Museveni in Gulu.
They pledged never to return to the acts of terrorism, saying it was costing a lot of lives and other resources.
According to a State House statement issued yesterday by the press secretary, Mary Okurut, the former combatants who held senior positions in the rebel ranks in the Sudan, said they surrendered after realising that the Government treated former rebels well.
Gulu Resident District Commissioner Max Omeda, himself a former Uganda People’s Army (UPA) rebel, led the group. They said Omeda inspired them to renounce rebellion.
Museveni assured the former rebel commanders that any rebel group which surrenders under the amnesty law, which is still in force, would be treated well and assisted to settle back into normal life.
Meanwhile, Joyce Namutebi reports that Museveni has assured the people of northern Uganda of better protection by the army against Kony’s brutality.
Museveni was on Sunday addressing the latest group of people who were rescued by the UPDF from the LRA.
The former abductees, who included girls and elderly people, were abducted from Gulu, Okurut said in a statement yesterday.
Museveni advised them to work hand-in-hand with the local leadership to enable the UPDF protect them better.
He extended his sympathy to them for the suffering they underwent at the hands of the LRA.
The abductees said they escaped when the terrorists came under pressure from the UPDF.
They were part of the 140 people rescued by the army this month, the press release said.
They are now under the protection of the army receiving treatment for various injuries and diseases before they settle in their homes.
Each rescued person will be given food and other necessities to enable them resettle.
Ends
TEN former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) officers have renounced the continued senseless killings of innocent and unarmed civilians by the terrorist group led by Joseph Kony.
The 10, who surrendered to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) over the last two years, made the renunciation yesterday while meeting President Yoweri Museveni in Gulu.
They pledged never to return to the acts of terrorism, saying it was costing a lot of lives and other resources.
According to a State House statement issued yesterday by the press secretary, Mary Okurut, the former combatants who held senior positions in the rebel ranks in the Sudan, said they surrendered after realising that the Government treated former rebels well.
Gulu Resident District Commissioner Max Omeda, himself a former Uganda People’s Army (UPA) rebel, led the group. They said Omeda inspired them to renounce rebellion.
Museveni assured the former rebel commanders that any rebel group which surrenders under the amnesty law, which is still in force, would be treated well and assisted to settle back into normal life.
Meanwhile, Joyce Namutebi reports that Museveni has assured the people of northern Uganda of better protection by the army against Kony’s brutality.
Museveni was on Sunday addressing the latest group of people who were rescued by the UPDF from the LRA.
The former abductees, who included girls and elderly people, were abducted from Gulu, Okurut said in a statement yesterday.
Museveni advised them to work hand-in-hand with the local leadership to enable the UPDF protect them better.
He extended his sympathy to them for the suffering they underwent at the hands of the LRA.
The abductees said they escaped when the terrorists came under pressure from the UPDF.
They were part of the 140 people rescued by the army this month, the press release said.
They are now under the protection of the army receiving treatment for various injuries and diseases before they settle in their homes.
Each rescued person will be given food and other necessities to enable them resettle.
Ends