| A UPDF major and two of his escorts were killed in an ambush by suspected Lord’s Resistance Army rebels on Sunday. Maj. George Kayarwa and the two escorts, whose names we could not readily establish, were part of the army’s 5 Division pay team. Both escorts were at the rank of private. The ambush took place at about midday in Labuje village, Lukole sub-county in Agago, some 15kms east of Pader town. The team was travelling from Pader town to Kalongo township, towards the border with Kotido district in the east. The team was going to pay salaries of the UPDF 1Battalion under the 301 Brigade. Military sources told The Monitor yesterday that the rebels fired a rocket-propelled grenade at Kayarwa’s vehicle, which had a drum full of fuel. The vehicle reportedly burst into flames killing the three soldiers instantly. Two other soldiers survived with injuries and were admitted at Kalongo hospital. Three soldiers in the leading escort car, which was carrying cash, survived the ambush. Lt. Col. Charles Otema is the northern region intelligence co-ordinator. He refused to talk about the matter. The overall army spokesman, Maj. Shaban Bantariza, too declined to comment. However, the military intelligence chief, Col. Noble Mayombo, confirmed the ambush. "The ambush was carried out by some remnant groups of the LRA," Mayombo said. |