*******"Bantariza said the Iteso were implementing one of their Constitutional rights by rising up to restore peace in their region, adding that no person can stop them from doing so."
********"The UPC is not serious. Article 17 of the Constitution spells out obligations of citizens, which include collaborating with the security agencies to restore law and order in the country," he said.
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Our concern here( the concern of the UPC) is that, is that as far as the LRA rebels are concerned, Teso civilians may , in essence, be considered as active combatants who together with the UPDF are fighting the LRA REBELS.
Teso Civilians, therefore , become fair target...after all there is no distinguishing between a teso Militia and a teso civilian.
This then becomes a very dangerous scenerio..rather catastrophy for fellow citizens of Teso who are after all Defenseless!!
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18 Rebels Killed in Teso
New Vision (Kampala)
September 12, 2003
Posted to the web September 12, 2003
Richard Mutumba
Kampala
EIGHTEEN LRA rebels have been killed, 15 captured while 10 surrendered in the past week in the UPDF's on-going mop up operation against the rebels in the Teso region.
Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza (right) yesterday told the weekly government press briefing that four UPDF soldiers were killed and two injured in the same week.
He, however, said the army had rescued 111 captives, recovered 20 anti-tank landmines, 84 bombs, and 435 different types of ammunition.
Flanked by the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Tim Lwanga, Bantariza also dismissed threats made by the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) that the party would drag the Teso based Arrow Group to court because it was unconstitutional.
"The UPC is not serious. Article 17 of the Constitution spells out obligations of citizens, which include collaborating with the security agencies to restore law and order in the country," he said.
Bantariza said the Iteso were implementing one of their Constitutional rights by rising up to restore peace in their region, adding that no person can stop them from doing so.
He said the Arrow Group was not merely a civilians group but a combination of ex-soldiers and Police officers.
