Members of Parliament from the Teso sub-region have commended President Yoweri Museveni for his efforts to curb the war in the northeast.
| "Oooh! Thank you, Mr. President-for-Life!" |
They however say the fighting is not yet over.
| That's 'cuz it ain't over 'til it's... ummm... over. Not to rely too heavily on Yogi Berra quotes... |
Soroti district Woman MP, Ms Alice Alaso told The Monitor on phone yesterday that she would believe that the fighting is over when the Lords Resistance Army rebels have all been captured. She said some parts are still rebel bases and impenetrable. She cited Morangatuny sub-county, parts of Kaberamaido, Lira and Kitgum, as areas still disturbed by Joseph Kony’s rebels. "The President is entitled to what he says but I can’t jump on to what he has said that the fighting is over," Alaso said.
| She sounds a sensible lass... |
In his New Year’s message, Museveni said the Kony inspired terror in the northeast has been defeated decisively. This is the second time in as many months Museveni is declaring an end to the war since the UPDF launched Operation Iron Fist early last year under a bilateral protocol that allows the army to pursue the LRA rebels deep into Sudan.
| I guess one man's resounding success is another's indifferent results... |
But Alaso said the rebels are still active and that the fighting has not yet stopped. She said Teso has also been hit by a food and drug shortage. "[Maj. Gen. James] Kazini declared the war over and Museveni has also repeated himself on this so we don’t know which one is over," Alaso said. Maj. Gen. Kazini is former Army Commander. Dr Francis Epetait, (Ngora county) said there has been some significant peace but the scattered Kony rebels are terrorising the unarmed masses. "There is still a number of abducted children who are in rebel captivity," Epetait said. "There were no rebel incidents during Chrismas and New Year but you cannot say the war has been finished. These rebels come and go and you cannot know whether they have gone for good. What if they come back?" Mr Ben Etonu (Amuria) asked. Mr Samuel Anyolo (Soroti) said there is now some breathing space and that Chrismas and New Year’s Eve were peaceful. "We are optimistic that 2004 would be one of hope. The war has not ended yet but as of now there are no more attacks," Anyolo said. |