UPDF Rescues 148 Captives

Mar 05, 2004

THE Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has rescued a total of 148 captives in the last two weeks in the districts of Lira, Pader and Kitgum.

By James Oloch
THE Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has rescued a total of 148 captives in the last two weeks in the districts of Lira, Pader and Kitgum.
The army spokesperson for the fifth division, 2nd Lt. Chris Magezi, handed over the former abducted children to the Rachaele Rehabilitation Centre on Wednesday at Lira Army barracks.
“The majority of them are girls who were wives of senior commanders of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in the bush in Sudan,” Magezi said.
He said among those rescued were 70 girls who are now child mothers, aged between 14 and 19 years, but with a few as young as sevenyears old.
There were a total of 60 children born in captivity, 37 girls and 23 boys.
He said nine children had come back without their mothers, who were killed in the bush.
Some of the former abducted children were taken to Kampala on Wednesday to meet president Museveni.
“We are hunting for the remaining LRA rebel commanders responsible for these abductions, especially Lukwiya and Odhiambo.
“We must track down and punish these terrorists for harming our children,” Magezi said.
Ends

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