‘LRA Used Monitor’
May 27, 2003
THE Chief of Military Intelligence, Col. Noble Mayombo, has told court that the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels (LRA) used the media like The Monitor newspaper to pressure the Government to accept a ceasefire through false reports.
THE Chief of Military Intelligence, Col. Noble Mayombo, has told court that the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels (LRA) used the media like The Monitor newspaper to pressure the Government to accept a ceasefire through false reports.
Maurice Okore writes that Mayombo also said the LRA used the paper to demoralise the UPDF in their war against Joseph Kony, whom he called a terrorist.
He was yesterday testifying against three Monitor newspaper journalists who are on trial over a story that the LRA rebels had shot down a UPDF gunship in a battle in Adilang sub-county in Pader district last October. The case is before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Frank Othembi.
Charles Onyango Obbo, former managing editor, Wanyama Wangah, news editor and Frank Nyakairu, the author of the controversial story are facing charges of publishing false news and information prejudicial to national security.
When asked by the prosecutor about the authenticity of the story, Mayombo said, “The story is totally false. It gives the impression that the LRA is invincible and that the military option cannot work. Its only purpose was to build pressure on the Government to accept a cease-fire.â€
“The LRA has also been classified as a terrorist organisation. So a story of this nature changes this image and rehabilitates the LRA into a conventional military force,†Mayombo who was dressed in military fatigue, said.
He also told the court that the LRA no longer had the capacity to shoot down helicopters following a protocol signed with the Sudanese Government in March 2001 to stop arming them.
He said the UPDF had also captured the LRA ground of tactical importance, anti-aircraft missiles, mortars and communication systems.
Brig. Joshua Masaba, the airforce commander, said the UPDF had never lost any aircraft in fighting with LRA rebels since the war in Northern Uganda started.
Ends
Maurice Okore writes that Mayombo also said the LRA used the paper to demoralise the UPDF in their war against Joseph Kony, whom he called a terrorist.
He was yesterday testifying against three Monitor newspaper journalists who are on trial over a story that the LRA rebels had shot down a UPDF gunship in a battle in Adilang sub-county in Pader district last October. The case is before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Frank Othembi.
Charles Onyango Obbo, former managing editor, Wanyama Wangah, news editor and Frank Nyakairu, the author of the controversial story are facing charges of publishing false news and information prejudicial to national security.
When asked by the prosecutor about the authenticity of the story, Mayombo said, “The story is totally false. It gives the impression that the LRA is invincible and that the military option cannot work. Its only purpose was to build pressure on the Government to accept a cease-fire.â€
“The LRA has also been classified as a terrorist organisation. So a story of this nature changes this image and rehabilitates the LRA into a conventional military force,†Mayombo who was dressed in military fatigue, said.
He also told the court that the LRA no longer had the capacity to shoot down helicopters following a protocol signed with the Sudanese Government in March 2001 to stop arming them.
He said the UPDF had also captured the LRA ground of tactical importance, anti-aircraft missiles, mortars and communication systems.
Brig. Joshua Masaba, the airforce commander, said the UPDF had never lost any aircraft in fighting with LRA rebels since the war in Northern Uganda started.
Ends