LRA Commander Surrenders
Feb 17, 2003
A commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Lt. Walter Ochira, has surrendered with three other rebel fighters to the UPDF.
By Chris Ochuwun
A commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Lt. Walter Ochira, has surrendered with three other rebel fighters to the UPDF.
This was revealed by the UPDF 4th division spokesman, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, yesterday.
Ankunda said 66 abductees were rescued by the UPDF in separate encounters in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts over the weekend.
He said 28 captives were rescued during clashes with the UPDF at Alam-Ayuna in Atiak sub-county, Kilak county, and five abductees reported to the UPDF 37th battalion in Acholibur, Pader district, 18kms from Kitgum town.
This brings to 446 the total of abductees rescued since the year began.
“The rate at which the rebels are surrendering has created new optimism in the rank and file of the UPDF that Kony’s end is in sight,†Ankunda said.
He appealed to the population to be more vigilant and report wrong characters in their localities to the army.
The rebels have been fighting the Government for over 15 years. Efforts have been launched to talk peace with the rebels. The Government has already named its negotiating team but Kony is yet to name his.
Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the war.
Ends
A commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Lt. Walter Ochira, has surrendered with three other rebel fighters to the UPDF.
This was revealed by the UPDF 4th division spokesman, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, yesterday.
Ankunda said 66 abductees were rescued by the UPDF in separate encounters in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts over the weekend.
He said 28 captives were rescued during clashes with the UPDF at Alam-Ayuna in Atiak sub-county, Kilak county, and five abductees reported to the UPDF 37th battalion in Acholibur, Pader district, 18kms from Kitgum town.
This brings to 446 the total of abductees rescued since the year began.
“The rate at which the rebels are surrendering has created new optimism in the rank and file of the UPDF that Kony’s end is in sight,†Ankunda said.
He appealed to the population to be more vigilant and report wrong characters in their localities to the army.
The rebels have been fighting the Government for over 15 years. Efforts have been launched to talk peace with the rebels. The Government has already named its negotiating team but Kony is yet to name his.
Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the war.
Ends