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Uganda: UPDF to Guard Kony, Says Govt
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The Monitor (Kampala)
28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008
Grace Matsiko,Maribel Vasquez & Evelyn Lirri
Kampala
THE army will offer protection to LRA rebel chief Joseph Kony once he agrees to disarm after the signing of the final peace agreement on April 5, the government said yesterday.
Leader of government peace delegation Ruhakana Rugunda told journalists at the Media Centre, in Kampala, that the South Sudan government is providing a battalion of soldiers to guard Kony and his fighters at Rikwangba on the Sudan-DR Congo border during the disarmament exercise.
"When he (Kony) comes to Uganda, Kony will be provided with necessary security including the UPDF. Kony will definitely be safe," Dr Rugunda, who is also Internal Affairs minister said in response to questions from journalists about Kony's security after he agrees to disarm and return to Uganda.
Dr Rugunda, accompanied by the members of his peace team, said it is the wish of the government to have Kony appear in Juba and sign the peace agreement on April 5.
"In the most unlikely event that he (Kony) is not coming to Juba, it (his absence) will not torpedo or jeopardise the agreement," the minister said. "A proposal has been made for Kony to sign in Ri-kwangba. This is not our first choice.
In case he cannot, credible people will be accepted as an alternative though not desirable will be accepted," he said.
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Meanwhile, a child rights organization has called for the unconditional release of children still in captivity ahead of the signing. The Operations Director for Save the Children in Uganda, Mr John Reinstein, said at a news conference yesterday.
Kony should be brought to justice along with his cowardly commanders. When will the children be released?
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