Kampala — LRA chief Joseph Kony and deputy Vincent Otti have fled Kitgum into Pader district following sustained two-day UPDF fire in Omia-Nyima and Namokora, Kitgum Resident District Commissioner Santo Okot-Lapolo said.

Okot-Lapolo, the security committee chief, yesterday said Kony and Otti fled Kitgum into Latanya hills.

"To me, I think full focus now should be made on Pader district, where the rebels have fled from Kitgum district. At the moment the rebels are reported to be in the areas of Latanya Hills," the RDC said.

He added, "But more details should be got from the district officials of Pader, for whom I can't speak. Otherwise, there are no LRA rebels in Kitgum at the moment. They moved into Pader," Okot-Lapolo said.

He said the number of LRA fighters under Kony and Otti has been greatly reduced following various battles over the past two days in Omia-Nyima and Namukora.

The army spokesman based in northern Uganda, Lt. Paddy Ankunda, said yesterday that Kony and Otti's groups were on the run following pressure the UPDF has frequently subjected them to lately.

"The rebels are now on the run and have nowhere to go and hide away from our forces (UPDF) who are now on a serious offensive against them. We shall continue to hit and pursue them wherever they run," Ankunda said.

Ankunda said the UPDF killed 71 rebels, recovered 210 bullets and rescued 586 captives over the past 30 days in Kitgum and Pader districts.

He said many captives escaped as the UPDF engaged the rebels.

"Many of Kony and Otti's fighters are constantly surrendering. Others are getting killed by our forces (UPDF) in battle," Ankunda said.

Kony has fought the Government of President yoweri Museveni for the last 16 years.

The rebel chief, declared terrorist by the USA, has bases in southern Sudan.

However, the UPDF are free to pursue him there under an agreement Sudan and Uganda signed last year.