Sudanese government armed Ugandan rebels in DRC: report
By Alfred Wasike and Tafenga Atari
KAMPALA, Uganda, Oct 24, 2004 (The Sudany Vision) — Sudan airlifted weapons in July 2004 to the DRC to arm a rebel group called People’s Redemption Army (PRA). The group was based in the troubled Ituri region.
Sources quoting prisoners of war recently captured by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) said, “According to POWs Osuman Okuch, a Shiluk by tribe and Gabriel Jada, a Bari, and members of the Sudan Peoples Armed Forces military intelligence captured by the SPLA in Palataka and Magwi in August and September 2004, respectively, the government of Sudan airlifted rifles from Sudan to DRC for arming some Ugandans who are there under training.”
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) says that the PRA, some of whom have been arrested and taken to court in Kampala, are linked to Reform Agenda leader, Col. Kizza Besigye (left), now in exile.
Appearing on KFM on Thursday night and responding to a phone call into the talkshow by Besigye, President Yoweri Museveni said, “His problem is that his people who were plotting in Ituri to open terrorism against Uganda, were arrested. One of his supporters, Opoka joined Kony who later killed him.”
The UPDF is investigating the claims of Sudanese support for the PRA. Army spokesperson Maj. Shaban Bantariza said, “That claim sounds dubious. But we are investigating it and we shall take appropriate action.”
Sudan embassy officials were not available for comment.