UPDF kills 46 LRA in Sudan
Mar 21, 2004
A total 46 Kony rebels were on Saturday killed when the rebels, dodging UPDF operations in southern Sudan, were ambushed by the UPDF and LDUs in Bibia on the Sudan-Uganda border.
By Emmy Allio and Chris Ochowun
A total 46 Kony rebels were on Saturday killed when the rebels, dodging UPDF operations in southern Sudan, were ambushed by the UPDF and LDUs in Bibia on the Sudan-Uganda border.
The rebels, led by Vincent Otti, the deputy to LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony, however, entered the country and clashed with the UPDF again in Palukere in Adjumani.
At the Lira-Palwo internally displaced persons camp in Agago county, Pader district, over 30 people were killed when the rebels raided the camp.
The rebels were disguised in clothes similar to the UPDF uniforms. The army said in the Bibia battle, it recovered 22 short machine guns, six rocket propelled grenades and five anti-personnel mines. Eight rebels were captured and 16 captive children freed.
The northern region intelligence officer, Lt. Col. Owany Otema, said, “The rebels are playing tactics to divert us from pursuing their boss in Sudan.â€
Otti first came to the limelight in 1995 for massacring 240 people in his home village in Atiak.
Security sources said Otti’s mission was to get a base in Zoka forests and Kilak hills, but the UPDF had moved there.
In 2002, the rebels dodged the UPDF in southern Sudan and re-entered Uganda where they attacked a Sudanese refugee camp in Acholi-pii as well as raiding several IDPs.
But the army commander, Maj. Gen. Nyakairima Aronda, recently said, “If they sneak from Sudan to divert us, they will have nowhere to go. We have occupied their safe havens in Zoke forests, Lipan, Talanga and Kilak mountains.â€
The rebels who attacked the Lira-Palwo camp at about 6:00pm on Friday, took UPDF soldiers there unaware.
A total 46 Kony rebels were on Saturday killed when the rebels, dodging UPDF operations in southern Sudan, were ambushed by the UPDF and LDUs in Bibia on the Sudan-Uganda border.
The rebels, led by Vincent Otti, the deputy to LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony, however, entered the country and clashed with the UPDF again in Palukere in Adjumani.
At the Lira-Palwo internally displaced persons camp in Agago county, Pader district, over 30 people were killed when the rebels raided the camp.
The rebels were disguised in clothes similar to the UPDF uniforms. The army said in the Bibia battle, it recovered 22 short machine guns, six rocket propelled grenades and five anti-personnel mines. Eight rebels were captured and 16 captive children freed.
The northern region intelligence officer, Lt. Col. Owany Otema, said, “The rebels are playing tactics to divert us from pursuing their boss in Sudan.â€
Otti first came to the limelight in 1995 for massacring 240 people in his home village in Atiak.
Security sources said Otti’s mission was to get a base in Zoka forests and Kilak hills, but the UPDF had moved there.
In 2002, the rebels dodged the UPDF in southern Sudan and re-entered Uganda where they attacked a Sudanese refugee camp in Acholi-pii as well as raiding several IDPs.
But the army commander, Maj. Gen. Nyakairima Aronda, recently said, “If they sneak from Sudan to divert us, they will have nowhere to go. We have occupied their safe havens in Zoke forests, Lipan, Talanga and Kilak mountains.â€
The rebels who attacked the Lira-Palwo camp at about 6:00pm on Friday, took UPDF soldiers there unaware.