Ugandan army kills 928 rebels since last year
PLA Daily 2004-01-17
KAMPALA, Jan. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Ugandan Defense Minister Amama Mbabazi Friday said that the government army had killed 928 Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels between Jan. 1, 2003 and Jan. 16, 2004.
Speaking at a monthly press briefing in Bombo, suburb of Kampala, Minister Mbabazi said 791 rebels were either captured by the army or surrendered during the same period in the "Operation Iron Fist" against the LRA rebels.
He said the army rescued 7,299 people abducted by the rebels.
He also said 88 army soldiers died in the combat, 141 others were injured and four went missing during the period.
Meanwhile, Mbabazi said that President Omar Bashir of the Sudan and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are reportedly in talks with President Yoweri Museveni to ensure that their countries are not used as base for Uganda's rebel groups.
He said LRA rebel leader Kony is desperately looking for other contacts to supply him with arms after the Sudan dumped him.
He added that the Sudanese government had also promised to punish its soldiers who were having unsanctioned deals with Kony.
"The government of Uganda is reasonably satisfied with the Sudanese government's cooperation, though Kony is back there. We know that he still has some small contacts with elements in the Sudanese army, but President Bashir said his government will ensure that those end too," Mbabazi added.
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