The UPDF is launching a military offensive against Joseph Kony's LRA rebels because they are not interested in talks, the spokesman said yesterday.

Maj. Shaban Bantariza said the move follows the rebels' refusal to take the government conditions for a cease-fire and consequently talks with a presidential peace envoy.

"They do not want to take any of our conditions so they should not blame us for not offering a better option," said Maj. Bantariza.

"This also followed the rebels continued alleged atrocities in Lira in which 50 people were yesterday abducted and a four-month-old baby was grabbed from its mother and thrown into a river in Aloi sub-county," said the Lira LC5 Charles Arago.

The LRA spokesman Sam Kolo told the media from his phone in the bush Tuesday that they will not go to "operational safe havens" of Owiny Kibul and Kisenga, citing "health concerns".

Meanwhile, about 200 Kony rebels have for a week been trapped by flooding of River Moroto in Lira, blocking them from crossing to Pader.

Sources in the areas said the rebels have been stuck in Alio Ogur and Apala sub-counties following a weeklong flooding of the river and heavy deployment of the UPDF infantry force.

"It is true they could not cross because the levels of the river were to high," said Arago.

Major Bantariza said: "We have deployed heavily our ground forces in Lira because of that group and we shall finish it."