Police find LRA grenades in Lira

Jun 18, 2009

THE Police in Omoro sub-county, Lira district have recovered weapons suspected to have been abandoned by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels during the insurgency.

By Patrick Okino

THE Police in Omoro sub-county, Lira district have recovered weapons suspected to have been abandoned by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels during the insurgency.

The weapons recovered from the bushes in Baropiro, Akaidebe, Odike, Ober and Akwonlar villages, include a 60mm bomb, rocket propelled grenade (RPG) shells, an RPG, two 80mm bombs and a 60mm mortar launcher.

Briefing the northern Youth MP, Denis Hamson Obua, recently about the resettlement programme for the former internally displaced persons, the Omoro LC3 chairperson, Francis Omaramoi, said the bombs were discovered by the residents and collected by the Police.

“They were discovered two months ago, but when we communicated to the National Mine Action to collect them, they didn’t turn up,” Omaramoi said.
Omaramoi noted that the old and rusty weapons were a cause of panic and also a risk to the residents.

“The residents are worried because they fear that the bombs could explode any time,” Omaramoi added.

Obua called upon the Government and the landmine experts to strengthen their role in collecting and detonating weapons abandoned by the rebels.
He said the resettlement programme was progressing although landmines and other explosives remained a challenge.

The UPDF has battled the LRA for over 20 years during which period the rebels killed and abducted thousands of people in the Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile regions.

With peace returning to the region, the Government through the National Mine Action, is coordinating the removal of explosives abandoned by the fleeing rebels.

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