Bigombe, MPs camp in bush to meet LRA
BETTY Bigombe and four Acholi MPs yesterday shifted base to Ngomoromo, close to the Sudan border, for a meeting with top LRA chiefs.
By Justin Moro and Chris Ochowun
BETTY Bigombe and four Acholi MPs yesterday shifted base to Ngomoromo, close to the Sudan border, for a meeting with top LRA chiefs.
Bigombe’s delegation is expected to camp at Ngomoromo, a remote forested area, up to December 31.
A government peace team led by internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda will travel to Kitgum today to join Bigombe (right).
Bigombe’s team includes MPs Zachary Olum (Nwoya), Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro), Jane Akwero Odwong (Kitgum Woman) and Morris Ogenga Latigo (Agago).
Elders and LC5 chairpersons from Acholi region, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora of Gulu, Nahaman Ojwee of Kitgum and Edwin Yakobo Komakech of Pader are also on the team.
“We have left this morning (Tuesday) together with the four Acholi MPs to meet the top LRA commanders including Vincent Otti, Kony’s deputy, at Ngomoromo in Kitgum on the Uganda-Sudan border.
“We pray and hope that we shall make a breakthrough,†Ochora said.
He urged the rebels to meet the December 31 ceasefire deadline in order to end the 18-year long conflict peacefully.
On December 7, Bigombe led Acholi cultural leaders and elders to meet LRA commanders, including rebel spokesman Brig. Sam Otto Kolo, at Palabek in Kitgum district.
Sources said international television crews accompanied Bigombe’s team.
Ochora said Bigombe got clearance from LRA leader Joseph Kony to go with the foreign journalists.
On Monday Bigombe flew to Ngomoromo with the five international observers, including the British military attaché, Col. Chris Wilton. Another meeting is due on Tuesday with the Acholi political leaders and another on Wednesday with the Government’s team.
Bigombe has been in Gulu for several weeks trying to broker a peace deal between the Government and LRA rebels.
The war has cost thousands of lives and retarded development in the region, and displaced thousands of civilians.
BETTY Bigombe and four Acholi MPs yesterday shifted base to Ngomoromo, close to the Sudan border, for a meeting with top LRA chiefs.
Bigombe’s delegation is expected to camp at Ngomoromo, a remote forested area, up to December 31.
A government peace team led by internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda will travel to Kitgum today to join Bigombe (right).
Bigombe’s team includes MPs Zachary Olum (Nwoya), Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro), Jane Akwero Odwong (Kitgum Woman) and Morris Ogenga Latigo (Agago).
Elders and LC5 chairpersons from Acholi region, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora of Gulu, Nahaman Ojwee of Kitgum and Edwin Yakobo Komakech of Pader are also on the team.
“We have left this morning (Tuesday) together with the four Acholi MPs to meet the top LRA commanders including Vincent Otti, Kony’s deputy, at Ngomoromo in Kitgum on the Uganda-Sudan border.
“We pray and hope that we shall make a breakthrough,†Ochora said.
He urged the rebels to meet the December 31 ceasefire deadline in order to end the 18-year long conflict peacefully.
On December 7, Bigombe led Acholi cultural leaders and elders to meet LRA commanders, including rebel spokesman Brig. Sam Otto Kolo, at Palabek in Kitgum district.
Sources said international television crews accompanied Bigombe’s team.
Ochora said Bigombe got clearance from LRA leader Joseph Kony to go with the foreign journalists.
On Monday Bigombe flew to Ngomoromo with the five international observers, including the British military attaché, Col. Chris Wilton. Another meeting is due on Tuesday with the Acholi political leaders and another on Wednesday with the Government’s team.
Bigombe has been in Gulu for several weeks trying to broker a peace deal between the Government and LRA rebels.
The war has cost thousands of lives and retarded development in the region, and displaced thousands of civilians.