UPDF pursues Kony in central Africa
Sep 07, 2009
UGANDA'S military offensive against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and their leader, Joseph Kony, has been extended to the Central Africa Republic (CAR).
By Henry Mukasa
UGANDA'S military offensive against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and their leader, Joseph Kony, has been extended to the Central Africa Republic (CAR).
The Ministry of Defence said yesterday the Ugandan forces were pursuing the rebels in the jungles of CAR. The rebels have abducted, maimed and killed thousands of people in the region.
“The offensive is going on. The Central Africa Republic authorised us to pursue the LRA in its territory. Our boys are there and are doing the job,†the army spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, said yesterday.
Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo on December 15, 2008 jointly attacked the LRA bases in Garamba forest in eastern DRC. An airforce, paratroopers and the infantry backed the operation. The allies attacked the main body and destroyed the rebel main camp called Camp Swahili.
The military offensive came after Kony, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, refused to sign the final peace agreement negotiated with Uganda in Juba, South Sudan.
The attack sent his fighters in disarray and they resorted to reprisal killings targeting civilians.
A meting between President Yoweri Museveni and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila, in January resolved that the UPDF withdraws so that the Congolese army continues the fight against the LRA.
On March 15, the UPDF withdrew from Congo but a few remained to gather intelligence on the rebels and share it with the Congolese army.
There were reports that Kony and his fighters were oscillating between Congo and CAR.
A local tabloid reported yesterday that in the recent attack, Kony’s son named Saleh had been killed. Kulayigye declined to comment on the reports.
“I would have told you if I knew about it,†he said.
Meanwhile, Christians in the Western Equatoria State conducted three days of fasting and prayer for peace last week. The state in South Sudan has seen a series of atrocities by the LRA.
The fasting exercise concluded with a rally for peace in Yambio, the state capital.
The Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yambio diocese, Edward Hiiboro Kussula, told Sudan Catholic Radio News on telephone that the event was a success.
Hiiboro said the occasion for self-renewal. Hundreds of Christians took part in a 20-kilometre peace march from Nzara to Yambio, led by Hiiboro and by bishop Peter Munde of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.
UGANDA'S military offensive against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and their leader, Joseph Kony, has been extended to the Central Africa Republic (CAR).
The Ministry of Defence said yesterday the Ugandan forces were pursuing the rebels in the jungles of CAR. The rebels have abducted, maimed and killed thousands of people in the region.
“The offensive is going on. The Central Africa Republic authorised us to pursue the LRA in its territory. Our boys are there and are doing the job,†the army spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, said yesterday.
Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo on December 15, 2008 jointly attacked the LRA bases in Garamba forest in eastern DRC. An airforce, paratroopers and the infantry backed the operation. The allies attacked the main body and destroyed the rebel main camp called Camp Swahili.
The military offensive came after Kony, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, refused to sign the final peace agreement negotiated with Uganda in Juba, South Sudan.
The attack sent his fighters in disarray and they resorted to reprisal killings targeting civilians.
A meting between President Yoweri Museveni and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila, in January resolved that the UPDF withdraws so that the Congolese army continues the fight against the LRA.
On March 15, the UPDF withdrew from Congo but a few remained to gather intelligence on the rebels and share it with the Congolese army.
There were reports that Kony and his fighters were oscillating between Congo and CAR.
A local tabloid reported yesterday that in the recent attack, Kony’s son named Saleh had been killed. Kulayigye declined to comment on the reports.
“I would have told you if I knew about it,†he said.
Meanwhile, Christians in the Western Equatoria State conducted three days of fasting and prayer for peace last week. The state in South Sudan has seen a series of atrocities by the LRA.
The fasting exercise concluded with a rally for peace in Yambio, the state capital.
The Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yambio diocese, Edward Hiiboro Kussula, told Sudan Catholic Radio News on telephone that the event was a success.
Hiiboro said the occasion for self-renewal. Hundreds of Christians took part in a 20-kilometre peace march from Nzara to Yambio, led by Hiiboro and by bishop Peter Munde of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.