Uganda captures LRA top commander in ambush
Uganda captures a leader of the Lord's Resistance Army , bringing it a step closer to catching Joseph Kony, the LRA leader accused of war crimes.
The Uganda People's Defense Force said Caesar Achellam, was captured in an ambush Saturday along the banks in the neighboring Central African Republic (CAR).
Achellam was given an opportunity to address the media.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LORDS RESISTANCE ARMY COMMANDER, CEASAR ACHELLAM, SAYING:
"The man talked of as commander Caesar Wod'Oginyi' Achellam who was commander for more than 20 years has now been confirmed, he is in the hand of the Ugandan government with the UPDF, they should not worry or people remaining there in the bush, they should not worry because my coming out has made a big impact on the people still remaining in the bush to be encouraged to come out so that sooner may be the war would come to an end."
He refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LORDS RESISTANCE ARMY COMMANDER, CEASAR ACHELLAM, SAYING:
"In the act of war the word sorry does not exist."
Ugandan officials said Achellam was armed with just an AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of ammunition when he was arrested.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UGANDA PEOPLE'S DEFENSE FORCE SPOKESMAN, FELIX KULAYIGYE, SAYING:
"For the people Uganda this is a big fish, for Ceasar to be in our hands, it is a big statement in as far as our effort to end this rebellion, so the stability and peace obtaining now in northern Uganda is only and only going to be encouraged by this kind of situation and of course for those who have their children in the bush, we guarantee you, when ever they would be getting into our hands they will survive as Achellam has survived."
Kony has evaded the region's militaries for nearly three decades, kidnapping tens of thousands of children to fill the ranks of his Lord's Resistance Army. Thousands have been killed by his brutal army.
The International Criminal Court at The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Kony and his top commanders for several counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, although Achellam is not among those charged by the ICC.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
The Uganda People's Defense Force said Caesar Achellam, was captured in an ambush Saturday along the banks in the neighboring Central African Republic (CAR).
Achellam was given an opportunity to address the media.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LORDS RESISTANCE ARMY COMMANDER, CEASAR ACHELLAM, SAYING:
"The man talked of as commander Caesar Wod'Oginyi' Achellam who was commander for more than 20 years has now been confirmed, he is in the hand of the Ugandan government with the UPDF, they should not worry or people remaining there in the bush, they should not worry because my coming out has made a big impact on the people still remaining in the bush to be encouraged to come out so that sooner may be the war would come to an end."
He refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LORDS RESISTANCE ARMY COMMANDER, CEASAR ACHELLAM, SAYING:
"In the act of war the word sorry does not exist."
Ugandan officials said Achellam was armed with just an AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of ammunition when he was arrested.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UGANDA PEOPLE'S DEFENSE FORCE SPOKESMAN, FELIX KULAYIGYE, SAYING:
"For the people Uganda this is a big fish, for Ceasar to be in our hands, it is a big statement in as far as our effort to end this rebellion, so the stability and peace obtaining now in northern Uganda is only and only going to be encouraged by this kind of situation and of course for those who have their children in the bush, we guarantee you, when ever they would be getting into our hands they will survive as Achellam has survived."
Kony has evaded the region's militaries for nearly three decades, kidnapping tens of thousands of children to fill the ranks of his Lord's Resistance Army. Thousands have been killed by his brutal army.
The International Criminal Court at The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Kony and his top commanders for several counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, although Achellam is not among those charged by the ICC.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters