Vision Reporters
30 September 2002
Kampala — President Yoweri Museveni vowed yesterday to stay in Gulu and crush Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels by March 2003.
Lt. Gen. Museveni, the UPDF Commander-in-Chief, met over 20 local journalists at his base in Gulu and said the military campaign against Kony was to go on.
He said peace would be restored in the north by February 2003. He said displaced people would be resettled in their homes to lead normal lives.
The president said the government had given the rebels chance to benefit from the Amnesty Law in place but they continue committing atrocities against civilians, a statement from State House said.
"The anti-terror campaign against Kony in northern Uganda will be finished by February or March next year. I will not leave Gulu until I see the last rebel come out of the bush in April," Museveni said. He said any rebel who will not have come out at that time will be killed.
He said the war in the north had persisted because of Sudan's support to Kony. He said Sudan withdrew its support early this year.
Museveni said as religious leaders and other organisations explore avenues of talking peace with Kony, the UPDF will continue its military campaign, according to the statement.
The government gave the LRA conditions for a cease-fire in order to allow peace initiatives. The rebels had to stop attacks on civilians and assemble at Owiny Kibul but the rebels have not fulfilled these conditions.
The President criticised some politicians from the region whom he said only blame government and campaign against resettlement of civilians in camps. He said the politicians do not condemn the atrocities meted out on innocent civilians by Kony.
He said the people in the north should stay in the camps because it was the only way to ensure their survival until peace is restored.
Museveni also accused journalists of not reporting the truth. He said journalists should carry out research and verify information and avoid lies in their publications.
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