Museveni Intensifies Mop-up Operations Against Rebels

October 28, 2002

GULU – Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has ordered for a rapid deployment of more Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) infantry forces in Lango, Northern Uganda for a quick response against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels of Joseph Kony, security sources said.

The extra deployment of UPDF forces ordered for by Museveni, who is the commander-in-chief of the UPDF, is aimed at a quick and speedy response to any LRA threats and attacks in Lira and Apac districts of Northern Uganda the sources said.

Apac Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Drani Dradriga, said on Wednesday, "We have received more UPDF soldiers and this is to enable the army to respond very quickly to LRA attacks."

UPDF 5th division commander based in Pader Col. John Mugume said, "We have intensified our mop-up operations and have been able to destroy most of the enemy hideouts in Lira and Pader districts."

"They (LRA) have now fled towards Kitgum district and towards the Sudan border," Mugume said. The UPDF destroyed two LRA hideouts in Pader district on Monday, sending the rebels in disarray, security sources said.

The sources said the rebels were now scattered and were avoiding contact with UPDF forces who are pursuing them. A big LRA group with some captives carrying looted items, is reported to have crossed into Kitgum district in Ororu and Namukora sub-counties heading towards the Sudan border. The army confirmed the group intended to cross into Sudan.

Meanwhile, a 54-year-old female nurse, Mary Okema, and two other civilians were on Wednesday afternoon shot and injured by the rebels in an ambush at Corner-Agula, Lalogi sub-county, Omoro county in Gulu.

They were part of a group that was travelling on a pick-up truck from Acet trading centre. Residents of Lalogi and security officials there identified the injured as the driver, Kemis, 24, and Alfred Ojara, 25.

Last Sunday, the rebels killed an LC1 chairman of Bar Opok, Akano parish, Ogur sub-county in Erute north. Augustin Omara was shot dead at his home. The rebels, estimated to be about 17, abducted 30 people from the same village before attacking Ogur sub-county, 16km north of Lira town.

In Otara parish in Aromo sub-county, the rebels killed an unidentified man and burnt over 180 houses in different villages, stretching over five kilometres.

All Africa News Agency
Reported by Pamela Babirukamu