First published: 20090104 7:46:14 AM EST | Ultimate Media
The Minister of Defense, Dr. Cryspus Kiyonga has assured Ugandans that the Lords Resistance Army rebels can not cross back into Uganda to destabilize people in northern Uganda.
Dr. Kiyonga says the Uganda People’s Defense forces are pursuing the LRA in parts of DRC and Southern Sudan to ensure the rebels are defeated once and follow.
He says Ugandans should not panic in fear of a resumption of war in northern Uganda as some people, especially members of the opposition have alleged. He says the rebels are hundreds of miles headed towards Central African Republic which is on the opposite side of Uganda.
Dr. Kiyonga says even if the rebels were to attempt to come back to Uganda, they will be defeated by the UPDF soldiers deployed across the Ugandan border with DRC and Sudan.
He castigated the rebels for continuing to kill civilians and challenged them to confront soldiers if they want to show their military strength. The LRA fleeing a joint military offensive by UPDF and the armies of DRC and Southern Sudan have reportedly killed about 400 civilians in parts of DRC and Southern Sudan.
But the LRA on Saturday accused Ugandan soldiers and their DRC and Sudan counterparts of being behind the murders in order to give the LRA a bad image. The UN yesterday however insisted the killings were carried out by the LRA.
The Minister says that the joint force is advancing to the LRA hideouts and within a short time the joint force would have closed in on the remaining rebels.
He says the government through the office of the Prime Minister is continuing to implement the Peace Recovery Development Plan to rehabilitate areas affected by the 22year old LRA war. He also appalled to development partners to continue supporting the government in its efforts to rebuild northern and eastern parts of the country affected by the war.
http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/news.asp?about=Defense%20minister%20assures%20Ugandans&ID=7550
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