Who is who in the north?
Editorial
Oct 16, 2003
On Monday, we had a sad repeat of what has now become an almost common
occurrence. Suspected rebels walked into Amon Oneno market in Moroto County, Lira
district; posed as soldiers and later killed about 25 people.
The rebels were reportedly in new battle dress, which the locals claim bore an
uncanny resemblance to the uniform of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces.
While we are not questioning the government's stated commitment to rid northern
and eastern Uganda of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army, there are some things that
simply do not add up.
Reports following last week's assault on Odudui in Soroti district by nearly 200
insurgents again said the attackers were clad in uniform similar to the army's.
This is a very confusing situation, not only to those unfortunate enough to be
trapped in this conflict, but also to the wider public.
The civilians, who are supposed to provide intelligence to the army on rebel
movements, must be perplexed and very afraid now. They must be bewildered because it
has become much more difficult to tell who is on which side.
In Amon Oneno, the dead fell the moment the locals began telling the "soldiers"
where the "rebels" were suspected to be camping.
It is about time the army spoke at length on this one.
Also requiring explanation are those painful "friendly fire" incidents where the
army always says the dead and injured are unfortunate victims of mistaken identity.
In parts of Gulu, Pader and Kitgum districts the troubling talk among sections
of the cowed population is that the killings might be deliberate, which reminds us of
the well-documented cases of ambushes by soldiers, some of whom have been apprehended
and punished.
Like most Ugandans, we appreciate the difficult conditions under which the army
is fighting this war but that cannot absolve them of taking the responsibility in
cases such as the Amon Oneno incident.
When you have too many friendly fire shootings and sightings of "rebels" in army
uniform within a very short time things begin to smell rather funny. There is
therefore urgent need for the army to clear the air.
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
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