26 July 2002
Kony rebels on Wednesday night hacked 48 people, most them the elderly and infants, to death in Muchwini sub-county, 14 miles north of Kitgum town, the army said yesterday.
Emmy Allio reports that the rebels were armed with machetes, hoes and knives.
At least a dozen babies and children aged below 10 years were hit on trees, crushing their skulls to pieces, a witness said.
About 100 children aged between 10 and 18, were abducted in the affected villages of Yepa and Pajong in Chua county.
Hundreds of civilians are now fleeing to Muchwini township and Kitgum town.
"The rebels killed those they could not abduct. They destroyed food and property. They did not use guns although they carried them. I think they feared the guns could easily alert the army detachment in Muchwini township," said a source whose relative survived.
Survivors said hands of elderly people were tied behind their backs before the youthful rebels hit them on the necks and heads with hoes and pangas.
Muchwini is home to UPDF assistant chief of staff, Col. Fred Tolit, and the late Kitgum tycoon, Charles Otti.
Army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza described the Muchwini killings as "gruesome, most barbaric and not befitting a group that is seeking peace talks with the government."
He said most of the population in Muchwini were not in camps protected by the military.
"We appeal to the population to listen to the military and stick to protected camps. The population living outside in the jungles should quit their homes and report to the camps," he said.
He said, "Kony is sending wrong signals at a time when the northern bishops who are on a peace mission are telling people that the rebels have changed tactics for the better."
Bantariza said, "By telling people that Kony has changed tactics for the better, the bishops and some elders in the north are effectively preparing the population for Kony's killing machines and abduction."
Sources said the rebels reached Muchwini from the direction of Tim-Palokok game reserve, which borders Sudan.
Tim-Palokok game reserve borders Lipan game reserve from where the rebels on Monday emerged to raid Namukora in Kitgum.
Among those abducted in Namukora was a brother to the late Gen. Tito Okello, a former Ugandan head of state. He has been released.
Military sources said the leader of the rebels, Joseph Kony, is now operating in the huge game reserves which he uses as a springboard to raid Namukora, Muchwini, Akilok, Lukung and Madi-Opei sub-counties.
The army has recalled about 3,000 soldiers from Karamoja and reshuffled the battalion commanders.
Kony has wreaked untold suffering on the area for the last 16 years.
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