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The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) purported representative has said that soldiers of the Uganda army's 105th battalion carried out the massacre of Congolese civilians on Christmas Day.
LRA spokesman David Matsanga told the Associated Press in a phone interview from Nairobi the UPDF's 105th Battalion carried out the gruesome killings. "They were airlifted to Congo to kill civilians and then say we are responsible," he charged. "They want to justify their stay in DRC (Congo) and loot minerals from there like they did before".
On December 14, the UPDF launched an attack on suspected LRA bases at Garamba National Park but did not manage to locate or kill the LRA leader, Joseph Kony.
More than 35 civilians were brutally killed with pangas and clubs and over 120 houses were set on fire at Faradje trading centre, about 400km north of Bunia, in Haut Uele District in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Many others who had taken refuge in a Catholic Church were also massacred by the attackers.
The UN is saying it is LRA which killed about 189 civilians but they have yet to say how they identified LRA as the killers. Like most international organizations, the UN sometimes adopts the official line of the government they operate under.
David Matsanga pointed out that the LRA could not have carried out the massacre because it did not have a single fighter in the area in question.
It must be noted that Kony has in the past not been on good terms with his supposed representative Mr Matsanga, and at one time disowned him. In a statement we carried two days ago, Kony spoke of his negotiating team being infiltrated. This brings some doubt on the reliability of Mr Matsanga's assertions about where and when the LRA are at any one time.
There is no doubt that Kony has unleashed his thugs to murder, maim and terrorise civilians in northern Uganda, and should by all means be brought to account. One can line up whole villages as witnesses to his brutality.
But what has given us cause to carefully examine reports of attacks is that in the recent past, we have come to discover that units of the UPDF posing as LRA played a large part in these attrocities. It has become fool hardy to accept at face value, reports of an attack as being perpetrated by Kony.
The timing of these latest reports come at a time when Kony is said to be fleeing, with the armies of three nations in hot pursuit. LRA has just managed to survive a UPDF attack and they even shot down at least one UPDF aircraft. As a military strategy, it appears quite foolish if LRA would risk antagonizing the civilian population in Congo when some of these civilians might have even tipped off the LRA that they had seen UPDF troops in the area.
If anything, Kony needs as many civilian supporters as possible because if he treats them well, they are the ones who will in future tip him off about any reconnaissance missions by UPDF.
When you have managed to disorganize the enemy, is that the time to massacre civilians or to celebrate with them and try to convince them to support your cause? If the LRA managed to evade UPDF, it is reasonable to suppose that he had some civilian support, however little. So who is more likely to be angry with the civilians in Congo, LRA which outfoxed the UPDF or UPDF which was humiliated in public?
Radio Katwe over the past two years has published details of massacres carried out in Uganda allegedly by the LRA, but which have eventually been proved the deeds of the UPDF.
Earlier this year, Lt. Godfrey Masaba of the UPDF escaped from a safe house and gave the Independent magazine edited by journalist Andrew Mwenda tape recordings with detailed evidence of how the NRA/UPDF has all along been massacring civilians in Acholi so that they could be blamed on the LRA.
Uganda's Military Intelligence raided the Independent's offices in Kamwokya in Kampala to try and arrest Masaba and get hold of the damaging tapes, but they failed.
A Canadian journalist working as an intern at the Independent was tipped off before the CMI raided the Independent and she boarded a plane and fled the country. She had been busy transcribing Masaba's tapes for a special report by the Independent.
We also heard reports this year that the LRA had massacred civilians in southern Sudan. But after some investigations, the Southern Sudan Military Intelligence said that actually the killings had been carried out by a unit of the UPDF dressed in another uniform. See Sudan Tribune article LRA not responsible for Sudan's Equatoria attacks - report That was when the Southern Sudan government ordered the UPDF to leave its territory.
GOSS Vice President Riek Machar who is also a chief mediator in the Kony talks has been quoted making contradictory statements, at one time saying the SPLA is not involved in the Congo war. You can read the full story at Sudan Tribune website
Ugandans have now come to know the story of what happened in Luwero Triangle between 1981 and 1985 when Museveni's NRA would massacre civilians in order to blame it on the UNLA government army and make the army lose support. (this fact not to be taken as exonerating the UNLA, for indeed there were many killers there too).
Having failed to locate and destroy Kony, it is probable that Museveni in his humiliation has started massacring civilians so that the world could once again feel horror at the LRA.
After the debacle of the 1972 attack on Mbarara from Tanzania by Obote and Museveni guerrillas, Museveni did the same thing as is happening in Congo to civilians, Radio Katwe will one day explain this story.
God forbid but do not be surprised if in the next few weeks massacres by UPDF of Acholi civilians resume and the LRA is blamed by the Museveni government.
We have seen no proof yet that Museveni has unleashed his terror machine in Congo and South Sudan, neither is there convicing evidence that his friend Kony is the culprit, but the painful fact is someone is massacring civilians. Both Kony and Museveni have a record of committing atrocities, so which one of them is doing it?
We continue to urge everyone to keep a close eye on developments, lets work to end the days of spilling innocent blood with impunity.
THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT
Readers Comments:
30 Dec 2008
1.
Dear RK
Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) men, when they die in war are dumped like garbage in forests of Congo and forgotten.
Not even the records department of UPDF in Bombo barracks has specific number and names of our soldiers (our sons and daughters) who died in Congo during the failed attempt by Museven to overthrow the late Kabila's Government. Let anybody in Bombo barracks challenge me on this.
You all saw on TVs how these young men were being throw alive in river Congo after having been cut off by the Zimbabwe army. That is how far Museveni regards his Army - - garbage, gasiya, to be used and dumped.
Wait for what is going to happen to our soildiers in Somalia after the withdrawal of Ethiopians. Their bodies will be hauled on the streets of Mogadishu.
Ugandan in Mbarara.
2.
Dear Rk, as The year Ends, I want to remind every peace-loving Africans in the Great lakes Region about the Kanungu Massacres which took place exactly at year end, namely 1999/2000. Up to now nobody knows who the victims were, nor where they came from.
The modus operandi of cutting up victims with machetes began with the Mbarara massacres of 1979 continued in Luweero, then Rwanda and now Congo again. Are we fools not to follow up of the pattern? The devil in power has all instruments to tell the world what to believe...but, "YOU CAN FOOL SOME PEOPLE SOME TIME BUT NOT ALL THE TIME"
I wish Everybody A Happy & Prosperous 2009.
Kyookyo.
3.
Dear Readers,
I have read many peoples' articles accusing Amin of being a killer, and I totally disagree with this.
Amin in one of his speeches aired mostly on CBS radio 88.8fm and 89.2fm he made it clear that whoever would be found involving him/herself in subversive activities would face death by firing squad. You should remember, that was the law then whether you want or not. Some of you are decieved by this M7 that he introduced the rule of law and yet safe houses are all over the place and are against the law.
Most Radio Katwe articles have hinted on supporters of M7 and Museveni has also written in his articles/book of various people who were supporting him during the war against Amin who Amin caught and killed. In this case these were criminals who had to face a firing squad as per the law then.
If Mwesigwa Black is Hero then why not Brig. Opona Acak or Jesus Ojiriot, or the various Kony commanders who were fighting for freedom of others? Museveni is on record for killing Ugandans indiscrimanately in Teso, Karamoja Gulu and Lira, after which he says we killed 300s,000s of them. Amin hand picked his victims -- criminals, and killed them.
Guwedeko was in airforce and you should remember the coup by airforce officers led by the Kimumwes in 1977 around that time of his death. (Read Rwehururu's Cross To The Gun book and also Escape From Nakasero by the Kimemwes', a story from a collection of Drum articles by Nagenda and others). This failed coup involved many officers even Rwehururu but was lucky not to have been picked by intelligence.
People like Dr. Sembeguya were killed by the Musevenis as per radio Katwe and Kisolo (hosted on super fm 88.5 every friday between 9.00p.m and 10.00pm).
Not to go far, how many children are dying now through sacrifice and M7 is looking on? Is that murder or football? Would Amin tolerate that?
Thieves during Amin's regime who ran away are happy and busy with M7. If Amin had killed Brig. Moses Ali because of theft, would he be wrong? And yet today you are condemning Temangalo?
There are Langis and Acholis who were massively killed by Amin. The reason was, they had been brought to capture him (read Cross To The Gun). It's the same way M7 has killed them (Langis & Acholis) and even how he killed Kayira's soldiers.
In fact, Radio Katwe has done a lot to change my support for M7 because of his attrocities against Ugandans. You have told us as to how he was killing Ugandans during Amin's time and again you turn around to condemn Amin. It's unfair for Amin.
The Killer of Ugandans is M7 from 1971 todate.
Yeko
Dec 31 2008
4.
Dear Katwe,
I love the comment by Yeko, many people have told me that Idi Amin was a better guy who had the Uganda at heart and wanted to see a better Uganda.It was the very Museveni with his brutal killers who were killing Ugandans, this continues upto date, the lion wants to get rid of all intellegent Ugandans, so that he has lame members of parliament, electoral officers, judiciary, RDCs, these all lame people. Many Ugandans have forgotten that for Museveni NRM party first, then country comes the second in agenda.
Ugandans don't be stupid, get rid of all the NRM MPs who know all that is taking place but due to greedy they keep quiet dance to the tune of the dictator museveni. God forbid, Lets remove all our tribal boundaries get united as the national Anthem says, leave segregation vote for a candidate that can get rid of killers, corrupt leaders.
In America we feel embarrassed when we read all that is taking place in the country Uganda. Ghana has given us good example, let all the opposition parties come together and have one serious candidate to over throw this common enemy.
Etoguason- USA
5.
Dear Editor,
The same thing as is happening in Congo which took place since the UPDF attack on Kony's base in Congo Garamba forest. A most gruesome method of killing and torture which is the speciality of UPDF.
The modus operandi of cutting up victims with machetes began with the Mbarara massacres of 1979 continued in Luweero Triangle between 1981 and 1985, What was happening in Bugerere, Eastern Buganda in 1985 which a number of civilians were being detained into the container by Commander Matayo Kyaligonza, then corner Kilak in 1987, Kitgum, Namukora, then Rwanda genocide in 1990-1994, Kanungu Massacres which took place 1999/2000 and now Congo again.
Ugandans have now come to know more evidence the stories of what happened in Luweero and northern Uganda, when Museveni's NRA would massacre civilians in order to blame it on the UNLA. Museveni did the same thing as is happening in Congo to kill civilians.
Inmates from northern Uganda I have more evidence on many occasions NRA/UPDF soldiers arrested men, children and women by commander David Tunyefunza put them in grassthatched houses which they later burned using hand grenades. Many people were also burnt to death while sleeping in their grass-thatched huts which were on many occasions set on fire by the NRA under the disguise UPDA rebels in 1987.
This is behaviour on the part of Musevenis soldiers even while it was still in the bush.
Jimmy
Former detaine Basiima House and interrogating by then commander Mugisha Muntu.
6.
Dear RK,
Ask this Matsanga if he has ever seen this Ugandan Lady BBC always advertised on their website to depict our animosity. Then he can shut up with his likes who wish Kony a hero's welcome to Kampala. Europe will always have its interests in Africa which are mainly economical. Any thing human is a by the way.
Out there in Europe and America, they show our Africanness only in the negatives like flies hovering over our children noses, malaria, AIDS, hunger in Somalia and Ethiopian miseries, human sacrices, Malayas and prostitutes, albinos being killed for wealth, children thrown in toliets because they were born out of wedlock, etc...... How long shall we go on like that?
Mr. Matsanga and your killer Kony, tell Regan Okumu to think twice if he cares for humanity. Wealth in terms of material goods will remain in the cemetry after he is all gone. Should rather advance the real care of the human person in his or her total personality.
I have observed that both the oppressor and the victime are adamant to the reconciliation process. Might is right as you wish to show to the world. REMEMBER: Only God is the owner of the Universe. He is the Creator and sustainer of life. You opppose Him we shall see. But we have told you when there is time to repent. We are clean in that regard. Remaining now is in your hands. Wish you well, success both of you!! The victime and the Victimiser, Wanaicnhi, kabisa.
kimera,
Diima, KARUMA ZONE.
7.
Massacres in the DRC.
Another massacre episode in the Congo,and again Uganda is at it. whether it is LRA that has committed the atrocity or the UPDF as others seem to suggest, it is still Uganda involved. Exactly why are we exporting our "home bred" human disrespect? The Congolese need a break for a while.
The Commanders-in-Chief of UPDF, Congolese Army, the Southern Sudan Army, and LRA should plan for the safety of non-combatants,especiaaliy the civilians; as it has come to pass, it is clear that nobody cared about the civilians when the "Operation Lightning Thunder" was planned. Where is the professionalism of the army we often hear? Just how three armies from big countries can fail to protect civilians from "hotly pursued fleeing remnants of LRA" gives some analysts reason to think otherwise.
Then the double standards of the African Union (AU). Up to now the regional body is silent. One would expect AU to immediately set an independent team to inquire about the massacres, but business as usaul, it is waiting for reports from the very people involved in the conflict.
On the coup in Guinea, the African Union has spoken. It has condemned the coup and has suspended Guinea from African Union. Exactly who suffers, the coup leaders or the Guinea people? We are told that the coup was bloodless; however not long ago, African Union saw Mugabe overthrow the Zimbabwean constitution by rigging elections in March and again in June 2008 but I am sure that Mugabe is one of those leaders condemning the Guinea coup. Mwai Kibaki of Kenya staged the most shameful coup and the African Union did not suspend Kenya from its membership! If one cared to count the number of countries forming African Union whose leaders came as coup leaders, one will be amused about the African Union. For starts I will mention a few and you can add the list: Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya,....
So who are the vocal members of the African Union who have condemned the Guinea coup?
Mo Tata
8.
Dear RK,
Can some one knowledgable please update us on the war theatre in Congo forests?
The sketchy information we are getting is that Uganda decided to help and arm Rebel Nkunda in order to force Kabila to agree on eliminating both rebels of the two countries (Kony and Nkunda; Kabila had refused Uganda to enter Congo and fight Kony, so Uganda decided to arm Nkunda.
Then Kabila agrees and Museveni decided to attack Kony, but as usual Museveni mixes everything with politics; instead of getting the seasoned UPDF soildiers to plan and execute the mission, he thought this was the time for his son Muhoozi to make a mark in Uganda politics and and be in a group the kills or captures Kony.
That is why he decided to send the "special forces led by his son" These were excited young men who thought fighting Kony if like diplaying Marshal arts at Kololo air strip like they always do and the operation supposed to be "Operation lightening thurnder" ended up being "Operations capture Kony Guiter"
The overall looser is Kabila whose people are being Killed in hundreds and others misplaced. We have now exported the Kony war to Congo and Mr Kabila, you are on your own and good luck with Kony.
If Kony enters Central African Republic, his entry point is controlled by Rebels to the Central African Government; if UPDF and Congo soldiers are to follow him up, who is going to help them get Kony?
The fellow rebels cannot capture and handover Kony and the Central African Government is incapable of doing the same.
Mr Tibuhaburwa Museven, what is your next move???
Concerned Ugandan.
9.
Thank you very much RK and happy new year to all Ugandan peace lovers.
Articles under "Matsanga UPDF's 105th" were very encouraging especially for Yeko, Etoguason and the concerned Ugandan.
Now that all Ugandans know that we have just one enemy Museveni is it not a high time that we all put our heads together and get one snipper as I.Smith from Cumbria had said before, and every thing will fall apart.
I know Ugandans both within Uganda and abroad have enough resources to employ one excellent snipper to get rid of this very evil man. I am sure people working with him are just too afraid to harm this man because of the fear he has created. He has sent to prison very close people around him, he has killed very close people around him. His act of using poison the silent killer is what is making these people fear him. In a normal situation his son Muhoozi would have by now fled from him if you remember he shot him. His wife would have equally done the same. Perhaps Janet can help us by giving him something small in his tea and that would solve all Ugandans problem.
We need to start telling those NGOs like the CARITAS that they should never be reporting news they cannot proof.
All in all let us be one Uganda one people and we get started on this evil Museveni.
Happy new year once again.
10.
But I think James Nsaba Buturo should not open his mouth if he has nothing sensible to say. Kony is no longer and never a threat to Uganda because he is not even in Uganda. It is the responsibilities of DRC or Sudan where he is operating from.
Kony was just busy growing his food as can be confirmed by the UPDF who were busy destroying Kony's food, Kong had already started social life ie his guitar was captured. Kony was leaving an exiled life in that part of DRC. How on can you justify following some one in exile and try to kill him?
We here in exile abroad know Museveni is sending his people to try to kill us from here using poison but instead we try to mix up with those ESO while being vey careful. We know they are just fellow Ugandans. Most of them when they are drunk even confess and say do not fear us. We are also just trying to make money like you.
Ugandan. UK
11.
[truncated]
Note 3:
Yeko Am glad you finally found out the truth as per the killings in Uganda. I am happy Radio Katwe made me aware of this for some time back hence got me out of the darkness.
Lastly but equally important I would like to point out to Yeko that there is no way you could compare Amin to M7, Amin in his low intellectual capabilities did things or maintained the country than M7 will ever manage in 100 life times. I can also imagine that given the chance to sum up all his famaly's cognitive capacity, this would still be impossible to beat Amin. I am only refering to what we know of the son( failure after failure). Yeko I think you will find this justified.
I salute Amin up to this day.
Happy new year Yeko and all peace loving Ugandans
God bless Uganda
KM
Dear KM,
thank you for the suggestions [truncated]. The man doesn't sleep looking for us so there is a problem of finding capable people who are not a security risk. But we shall try using the semi-amateurs here and see.
12.
Mo Tata,
Thanks for the analysis carried out on the role of African union. I am afraid you just like many of us we aim higher than what the union in Africa can give us. As soon as I read your article I kept thinking what criteria must be in place for a country to be considered member of the AU. I am sure lazy as our leaders are in African, all African states are save for the one you mention now. As for EU, a country has to meet and keep some criteria before a consideration is done. I will name a few of those here:-
"Copenhagen criteria", set out in December 1993 by the European Council in Copenhagen, require a candidate country to have:
-- stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
-- a functioning market economy, as well as the ability to cope with the pressure of competition and the market forces at work inside the Union;
-- the ability to assume the obligations of membership, in particular adherence to the objectives of political, economic and monetary union.
Can any African leader stand up to tell us what the creterias are?
Mo Tata, If am not mistaken I think if you come in with force and kill as many as you can and rig elections then you qualify to be an AU member!
By the way what do they do any way for the continent? And who is the chairman now? What are they doing for the case of DRC and Uganda so to speak? Really, we are fooled to have our taxes going out to a group of self seeking adventurers in the AU.
HAPPY NEW YEAR fellow Africans
13.
Dear editor Happy new year
May I say as the Ethopians are packing their bags to live Somalia were will the rag tag NRA be? I use NRA because this army does not belong to the people of Uganda. These are personal army of this monster. He can recruit them and fire them at his personal will so they must not use Uganda name at all. Uganda is too good to be associated with such thugs.
They are on rampage in Congo again thinking that they can make any thing new for the Congoless people, but I tell you that they are there to loot the gold of this poor country which does not have proper army or any adminstration. So for them to pretend to help instead they are on looting spree. I think the last loot has dried up they want to stock up new things for the 2011 election which I think Ugandans can not let them stay in power.
I want to ask the young Army offficers to see what has taken place at Guinea, please officers do for you a good service to topple these thugs or you will end up on the streets soon because Ugandans are fed up of these thugs. Just look at the last election in Kenya when the poor people took to the streets to demand what is theirs. So I ask you to act as soon as possible or you will be the next to be on the streets begging for food soon. I have seen your comrades in the streets of London from other countries such as Zaire, those special forces of Mobutu are here with us because they did not see the light. just topple these thugs before it is too late.
Yours Aluma UK
14.
Dear brother KM ( commentg 11)
Thanks for your commentary about my article.
As far as economics is concerned this man came to loot Uganda. Infact today I was amazed when I passed by Kaneirugaba Muhoozi's farm on Hoima Rd at a place called Jembe 32km from Kampala after Kakiri town council. Its about 2km inside from the main road. Its about 200 acres with cross bred cattle.
Can you imagine M7 exports "oluwanyu" (this is a plant commonly used in Buganda and Busoga to seperate land/Bibanja)? He has never told the poor peasants to grow this plant instead he is busy telling them funny stories of bonna bagagawale.
He exports ro France and other European countries. Some Chinese bought land around this area of Jembe and started growing "oluwanyi" but were immediately stopped.
Please Radio Katwe send your intelligence around that Kakiri area and find out more in that area.
Tamale Mirundi (Presindential press secretary) once said M7 has failed the Economy and he can excuse him on that but today he is eating his vomit. Many others are in that category.
My questions today are:
During Amin and Obote HSC was free, tertiary institutions were free, parastatals were making loses and despite that fact govt would pump in money. Govts were contributing to every pupil/student in school.(Even under Mushega if you recall the budget speeches, Govt would announce the contribution to every pupil in school) taxes were low. Despite all this people had something in the pocket.
I started school in 1976 and I found pencils and books in a village school in Kamuli district. School fees was 75/= a year. By the time Amin left fees were 400/= a year. when M7 came to power at Nabumali High school fees were 8,000/= a term which any peasant would afford.
Today parastatals are nowhere, "boom" (cash allowances for students), transport and any other in tertiary institutions is history, taxes are high and being strictly collected.
The question is where is our money? Let us not be deceived by U.P.E. It is donor sponsored. But what about money which was being pumped into education before? money into parastatals. think twice.
Happy New Year Radio Katwe Readers
01 Jan 2009
15.
I have read the reader's comment number 2 of 30th dec. He has the true vision for the great lake region. M7 is the most dangerous man to human life in the region1! He is now expandig his empire by killing people. Unfortunately the international community does not know!
A point to note, Now Mr. Kabila's army is becoming weak because is fooled a round to fight on two fronts!
16
Dear RK,
Again thanks so much for the good work you are doing.
A lot has been said about the allegations that once again Joseph Kony has started killing innocent civillians in the DRC.
To be honest with you, for some of us who has been following Museveni's behaviour all the way since 70s, It is so sad once again Museveni is employing his criminal tactics to fool the world.
Now concerning the allegations that "Kony killed people in church on Xmas day" that was reported by both the Monitor and the BBC. I want to ask any analytical reader one: KONY HAS BEEN A FUGITIVE IN THE DRC FOR THE PAST 2YEARS AND HE HAS NOT BEEN KILLING PEOPLE, HOW COME HE HAS STARTED KILLING PEOPLE AS SOON AS THE UGANDAN ARMY HAS ENTERED THE DRC?
From my point of view, in addition to what one reader analysed, it only confirms its actually Museveni's men killing innocent people and use the propaganda against Kony.
The second sad part of the story is that actually Museveni has not sent his troops to the DRC JUST TO FIGHT KONY, but Museveni is only using the war as a bussiness. He is now sent his son and a few of his henchment to the DRC UNDER THE GUISE of fighting Kony when the actual agenda if for him to continue stealling Money
1.From the Ugandan government c/o Ministry of Diffence
2.From the wealth of the DRC as he has done in the past,
3.He is using the war against Kony to win the international community's favour who are actually fooled that Kony is really a very dangerous terrorist..It is so sad!!!
The good news is that You radio Katwe has made a considerable contribution in opening the people's eyes on the true colours of president Museveni. The biggest war we now have to join hands and fight is one of stopping Museveni to use the media to continue his lies and fool Ugandans and the international community.
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