Ugandan army pursues rebels into Sudan, 17 killed

KAMPALA/NAIROBI, April 6, 2004 (dpa) — At least 17 Ugandan soldiers were killed in battles at a suspected rebel camp located in southern Sudan, the missionary news agency MISNA reported Tuesday citing local sources.

MISNA reported that some 30 persons, including civilians, were also wounded in the action by the Ugandan army to crush the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and their leader Joseph Kony who have sought refuge in neighbouring Sudan.

Composed mostly of kidnapped children who are often forced to commit atrocities, the LRA have fought a war in northern Uganda for 18 years.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni announced his retirement from the army after being promoted to the level of general in a ceremony. Museveni stressed that his resignation from the military would not impede his fight against the LRA.