Military

DATE=06/06/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UGANDA/REBELS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-290599

BYLINE=KATY SALMON

DATELINE=NAIROBI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Ugandan army says it has killed 66 rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army during clashes in southern Sudan. It says a top rebel commander is among the dead. Katy Salmon reports from Nairobi.

TEXT: Ugandan army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza says the L-R-A fighters fell into a Ugandan army ambush when they came down from the Imatong Hills, about 50 kilometers from Sudan's border with Uganda.

Major Bantariza says there were six officers among the rebels killed, including communications chief Lieutenant Colonel Otim Okello Lumumba.

/// 1ST ACT BANTARIZA ///

A group of rebels who had come from the mountain hideouts, coming down to the plains, either to look for food or some arms they may have hidden there before. We were able to track them up, and pursued them, until we caught up with them and had a clash. It was our armed squad, which fought with them, and we captured this chief signal officer, Lieutenant Colonel Otim, who was injured. But on our way to bring him to Gulu for treatment, unfortunately, he died mid-air.

/// END ACT ///

Major Bantariza says the lieutenant colonel's death will be a major blow to the rebel movement.

/// 2ND ACT BANTARIZA ///

He's the one responsible for electronic communication between the groups that are differently placed among the rebels. This one, we knew him because he is very senior, he has been there for very long. That's why I'm telling you that he's the chief signaler for the rebellion. Now, their signal department is totally in disarray.

/// END ACT ///

The Ugandan military's claim is difficult to confirm, because the L-R-A has little contact with the outside world.

For the last 15 years, the rebels have been fighting to overthrow the Ugandan government and replace it with one based on the biblical Ten Commandments.

Uganda has been unable to defeat the L-R-A because their bases are across the border in southern Sudan.

The army's hopes of wiping out the movement improved dramatically in March, when Sudan gave Uganda permission to enter its territory and attack the rebels.

Most of the L-R-A combatants are children, who have been abducted from northern Uganda. (Signed)

NEB/KS/MWD/TW