Emmy Allio
16 August 2002
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni, the commander-in-chief of the UPDF, has ordered the deployment of landmine sweepers in the north following blasts by Kony rebels, sources said yesterday.
Several landmine sweepers and tanks arrived in Gulu district on Tuesday.
Sources said the army was preparing a major offensive against the rebels as more soldiers flood the region.
Last week, the rebels, who surrendered to the army in Pader district, had several anti-tank and anti-personnel mines and their fuses.
The 4th Division spokesman, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, yesterday said the landmine sweepers were needed since the rebels had resorted to using mines.
Ankunda said, "The landmine sweepers will be used where the mines have been detected. We have seen that the rebels are resorting to the use of mines. This is because they now fear to confront the army directly."
He said landmines had already hit some people. He said last week in Pece and Bungatira, suburbs of Gulu town, people were hit and seriously injured in landmine blasts.
Two school girls who were last weekend hit at Bungatira by the landmines were admitted to Gulu Hospital.
Landmines planted by Kony's Lord's Resistance Army rebels killed many civilians and destroyed vehicles. Thousands of victims were disabled, many of them had their limbs amputated.
On Tuesday, the army said in Gulu town, that it had arrested a photographer whom it described as a chief rebel collaborator. The man allegedly had 50 Kony photographs.
Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni's press secretary Mary Okurut yesterday said the President's base in Gulu had not come under attack by Kony rebels (see story above).
Kony's war has dragged on for over 16 years, bringing mayhem to the north.
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