THE ECHO
NORTHERN NEWS EXTRA
For un-censored news from Northern Uganda
ISSUE No. 4
04 January 2004
Introduction.
We have mentioned before the media censorship that goes on in Northern Uganda. This comes in many forms, for example - when a big story breaks, the UPDF assigns military personnel to closely watch over what some reporters might be tempted to write. Those not closely aligned to the UPDF (not in their pay), may have to spend time in UPDF military barracks, just incase any information is let out. Threats and violence against those in the news business are an everyday event. It is because of these that many people rather than risk life, would simply do as they are told by the UPDF. Furthermore, there are the media laws and procedures which require the UPDF to vet every story before it is published.
Despite the above, we at the Echo remain determined, that Ugandans get to know what actually goes on behind the "ring of steel" that the UPDF have placed around Northern and Eastern Uganda.
On behalf of the team, I bid you a good read.
UPDF gang rapes woman....
On 2nd December 2003 UPDF soldiers gang raped a woman by the name of Adong at Padwat, Lamwo county in Kitgum district. Adong and a party of seven were on their way back to the camps having been to their old homes scavenging for food. The group of civilians came across a platoon of UPDF soldiers who demanded to know who they were as rebels had been reported in the area. The UPDF then proceeded to torture the civilians for over an hour. Of those who sustained serious injuries were Okeny (17 years old) and Olanya (23 years old) - both of whom had their arms broken by the UPDF. Kidega (14 years old) lost a tooth. Okema (36 years of age) sustained a deep cut in the head. Adong meanwhile was led away by the UPDF soldiers. She was gang raped by 4 UPDF soldiers. When she was finally released to go to the camps, Adong (25 years old) was too traumatised to talk.
Given the near 100% prevalence of the HIV virus amongst UPDF soldiers, observers believe that it is most likely UPDF would have passed on the deadly virus to Adong.
Civilians get desperate...
On 6th October 2003 UPDF soldiers from Palaro detach unit came to the home of Mr. Oringa in Bungatira, Punena parish in Gulu district. The soldiers beat Mr. Oringa until he lost consciousness. They then dragged his wife, Lalam to the bush were they raped her the whole night. She was released on 7th October 2003.
On the 10 October 2003 the same group of UPDF soldiers came and went to the home of Mr. Quinto Kilama. Unknown to the UPDF soldiers, word had passed round and the villagers were expecting them. The villagers had laid an ambush for the UPDF soldiers. In the ensuing mayhem, a UPDF soldier was killed and the rest fled the scene. The UPDF later returned to collect the body of their dead colleague and told the villagers to rest assured that before the end of the year, blood would be spilt in Bungatira.
LRA captures UPDF Major, Captain...
On 6th December 2003 the LRA under the command of Capt. Ben Okidi in a daring raid captured a number of senior UPDF soldiers including Major Clover and a captain whose name we could not immediately establish. The incident happened in Bur-Yindi near Pabbo army barracks at 5.30pm. Major Clover together with a number of UPDF soldiers were taken to the LRA base in Kilak county. The UPDF Major rather than die for a cause he does not believe in, is reported to have co-operated fully with his LRA interrogators. The LRA therefore were in receipt of classified UPDF information, some of which they did not have before. Having achieved their objective, what was left for the LRA to do was to put Major Clover on trial for crimes against humanity, which given the record of the UPDF in the North, he would almost certainly have faced death by firing squad for. Whilst all these were happening, we are reliably informed that there were frantic efforts by the UPDF high command (through some members of the clergy in Acholiland) for a prisoners exchange to take place. In return for sparing Major Clover's life, the UPDF offered to release more than a dozen civilians in military custody on charges that they formed part of the LRA network. Given the damage that Major Clover had done to the UPDF cause (by revealing ALL to the LRA), the LRA decided to leave his fate to the UPDF's Kalangal Action Party death squad. On the orders of LRA's Brigadier Vicent Otti, a prisoners exchange took place and Major Clover was released (minus his military pips and uniform - which remained with the LRA's Capt. Okidi).
The LRA in the East...
In a 2 day battle on the 1st and 2nd of November 2003, the LRA over ran the UPDF's 51st battalion, 305 brigade in Ber-Odilo, Moroto county in Lira district. The LRA is reported to have captured an array of UPDF's newly imported weaponry and rather strangely 4,500,000 in Congolese currency. The number of UPDF deaths, abandoned on the scene was 61, with many more sustaining serious injuries.
On 12th November 2003 the LRA laid an ambush on Lira-Otuboi road. The LRA had received information of the UPDF transporting supplies to their forces in the East. The LRA destroyed 2 UPDF trucks and at least a
dozen UPDF soldiers were believed to have lost their lives.
On the same day in Soroti district 36 UPDF soldiers were killed in battle when they were attacked by the LRA.
On 14th November 2003, the UPDF decided for a change to take the battle to the LRA. The UPDF attacked a LRA base in Lira district. In the battle lasting more than an hour, the UPDF were repulsed. The UPDF death toll from the incident was 28.
On 15th November 2003, the LRA attacked the UPDF on Orungu-Orengu road in Katakwi district. In the ensuing fire fight, the LRA killed 14 UPDF soldiers. A number of weaponry were also recovered by the LRA.
On 25th November 2003 the LRA ambushed a section of UPDF soldiers on foot patrol along Adwari-Aliwang road in Lira district. 5 UPDF soldiers lost their lives. Many sustained injuries.
And in Acholiland......
On 13th November 2003 the LRA attacked Madi-opei camp, Kitgum district and killed 16 UPDF soldiers.
On the same day in Gulu district the LRA attacked Laliya and killed 7 UPDF soldiers. The rebels are believed to be a group operating out of the Rwot Obilo area.
On 16th November 2003 Kitgum's RDC and his 4 bodyguards were injured by the LRA when they landed in an ambush between Namokora and Omiya Anyima in Kitgum district. The RDC, Lt. Okot Lapolo was on his way to Kitgum town at 6pm when he entered the LRA ambush. Sources report that the RDC was admitted at an undisclosed hospital with a broken collar bone and his 4 body guards were seriously injured. The regional UPDF spokesman Lt. Paddy Ankunda confirmed the ambush and said the vehicle was burned beyond recognition. This is the second RDC of Kitgum to be ambushed by rebels of the LRA. In 2000 the rebels ambushed J.B. Ocaya who later died of his injuries at Mulago hospital.
UPDF murders Justin Onen....
It would seem one of the most dangerous occupations to be in, in the North is to be a businessman. It is this profession that the UPDF are most paranoid about. On 3rd December 2003 soldiers of the UPDF came to assassinate Mr. Justin Onen who is the owner of "Ber Bedo Cheap Store" at his home in Pece, Gulu municipality. It is reported that 3 UPDF soldiers came to Mr. Onen's residence (one in full military uniform and the other 2 belonging to either military intelligence or KAP/Boo Ketch death squads). They asked Mr. Onen first for money. After the businessman had handed over all the cash he had, they then turned round and shot him 4 times on the chest. Mr. Onen died instantly. The people who were with Mr. Onen in desperation threw themselves at the soldiers. The deceased brother, called Odong managed to wrest a gun away from the UPDF soldiers. It was at this point that the UPDF soldiers realising that the mission had taken a different twist, immediately left the scene. After the dust had settled, other UPDF soldiers stationed nearby came to Mr. Onen's house to collect their colleague's gun. They told the deceased family that at some point they would hand over the gun to the police for investigation.
And finally...
The tragedy of the Northern conflict has been that either side (government or rebel) exact revenge against the civilian population for alleged involvement with their foe. In July 2003 a gentleman from Koch Goma (who for his own security shall remain nameless) and against advice from everyone NOT to get involved, took his bicycle and rode to Gulu barracks to report the presence of the LRA in his village. Upon reaching Gulu barracks, the gentleman had an experience he will never forget. The UPDF soldiers took him to the notorious "quarter guard". There, a UPDF soldier took a knife out of his pocket and rammed it to the man's side. The UPDF then asked the man a question "does this hurt you". "If it does, what makes you think to die at the hands of the LRA does not hurt us". "Go and never come back here again". The man left Gulu military barracks needing urgent medical attention. Whilst the gentleman has since recovered from his ordeal, word spread fast in Gulu district that if you ever come across the LRA, don't inform the UPDF, lest you get more than you bargained for.
Until next time Jok Joka malo.
� The Echo 2004
