30 July 2002
The Lord's Resistance Army rebels under Tabuley on Sunday released 57 more former captives at Pajule sub- county in Aruu county, Pader district, reports James Odong.
This brings to over 230, the number of former captives set free by the rebels since they re-entered Uganda from southern Sudan in June this year.
Aswa MP Reagan Okumu, who returned from northern Uganda on Sunday, told a press conference at Parliament House that the release was a gesture of goodwill by the rebels to talk peace with the Government.
Okumu warned of a humanitarian crisis in the north.
He called for the immediate declaration of a unilateral cease-fire between the Government and the rebels.
Quoting military and civilian intelligence information, Okumu said, "There is significant evidence that the rebels are not going back to the Sudan this time and the army is reorganising, so each side is preparing for heavy battles."
He said the UPDF should return from the Sudan and fight the rebels inside Uganda.
"Operation Iron Fist is no longer in the Sudan but in Uganda. Our troops should be brought back home because the rebels are now here," Okumu said. He said people in the camps lacked food but the UPDF were not allowing them to return home to cultivate or harvest.
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