MPS CALL FOR MERCENARIES TO KILL KONY

Jun 26, 2003

MEMBERS of the defence and internal affairs committee yesterday suggested that the Government hires mercenaries, like the South African Executive Outcomes to rout Kony rebels once and for all.

By Cyprian Musoke
MEMBERS of the defence and internal affairs committee yesterday suggested that the Government hires mercenaries, like the South African Executive Outcomes to rout Kony rebels once and for all.
They urged the Government to recall the reserve force, ex-servicemen and local defence units (LDUs) to beef up the UPDF. The debate, attended by internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda and state minister for internal affairs Kezimbira Miyingo, concentrated on ways to wipe out the insurgency.
The committee, which is considering to visit Soroti where the rebels have recently wreaked havoc, was informed by MPs Benedict Etonu (Amuria), Imumet Isiah (Usuk), Patrick Apuun (Bokora) and Omara Atubo (Otuke) that the UPDF on the ground were poorly facilitated and their morale was low.
“Now, who is not helping? We have mobilised all the guns from Karamoja and given them to the Government. We have approved so much money and given it to the army. Who the hell is not helping?” Apuun asked.
Apuun, who raised the suggestion to the approval of the other MPs, said since a lot had been done and the rebels were still around, the Government should engage mercenaries to boost the UPDF.
“Why can’t we have them here? We can take all this money we have always given to the army, or even borrow more, to hire mercenaries and finish this Kony nuisance,” Apuun said.
Although most members of the committee murmured in agreement, a few perceived the proposal as untenable.
“The army must be facilitated. Their morale right now is low. They can’t adequately counter the rebels. I invite you to come and see this for yourselves. I have just been there,” Etonu said.
He said he had heard of fresh fighting at Amuria county headquarters.
Aggrey Awori (Samia Bugwe) asked, “Savimbi fought for a long time in Angola, refusing all attempts to get him to talk peace, wasn’t he finished when the government hired experts?”
Etonu said during the gunfire that rocked his area as UPDF battled the rebels, the first bullet went over his house, terrifying him. “My God! I last heard that heavy thunder in 1979 during the invasion from Tanzania!” he said.
He said the rebels were engaging new tactics, only attacking civilians when the UPDF confronts them.
“They have split into several groups in Kalaki, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Kidwap and Lwara. Another group is on Soroti-Lira road where they have laid landmines which hit a pick-up truck and a lorry the other day,” he said.
He said Katakwi and Lira had been cut off and the rebels were reportedly targeting Mbale and Busia after Soroti, Etonu said.
“They have arrested people in the area and taken them for training. It is going to be a permanent problem like in Kasese.”
Rugunda said national security was every citizen’s responsibility and the MPs should join hands with the Government.
Ends

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