Kampala — A former Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) combatant was arrested with a gun and 17 bullets in Lira last weekend.

Dennis Okello, 30, a resident of Koch-Goma sub-county in Amuru district, was nabbed by the army at Gastapho Guest House in Lira municipality where he was residing .

The 5th division public relations officer, capt. Deo Akiiki, said Okello claimed to have joined the LRA in 1996 and deserted in 2001 at the rank of lance corporal.

"We suspect he was going to terrorise people with his weapon and that he might have done it before," Akiiki said.

He said Okello would be charged before the Court Martial with possession of illegal weapons.

Okello said he was formerly attached to the Gilba Brigade of the LRA where he served with Brig. Kenneth Banya and Brig. Onen Kamdulu

He said he deserted the rebel force in 2001 with three guns. He added that he handed two to the army but retained one.

"I usually carry it in my bag whenever I am travelling long distances just to protect my clothes and money," he said.

He reported that many of the former rebel combatants use their guns for poaching in Murchison Falls national park.

Okello's arrest brings to two the number of people arrested in Lira in the same week over unlawful possession of firearms.

Another man identified as Ocan Marino was arrested over possessing weapons after he allegedly broke into St. Catherine Girls' School in Boroboro and stole items.