DRC President, Joseph Kabila

Mwando says that the offensive is aimed at neutralizing the Ugandan rebel groups because they are harassing the population of Eastern Congo province of North Kivu and causing unnecessary insecurity.

The offensive against Ugandan rebels in DR Congo follows commitments by the two countries to pacify each other’s borders. The commitments were made between the Governments of DR Congo and Uganda and the United Nations Mission in DR Congo.

The Uganda ADF rebels are responsible for killings and abductions of hundreds of people and thousands of displacements in Western Uganda during the 1990’s and early 2000 when they were still active in the country launching their attacks from the Uganda Rwenzori Mountains.

Another Uganda rebel group, The Lords Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony are also based in Northern DR Congo where they have killed and abducted thousands of people and displaced tens of thousands.

In December 2009, the Congolese army together with the armies of Uganda and South Sudan, launched an offensive against the rebel group but only succeeded in weakening them.

Also see

ADF Still a Threat, Says Army Official

Seven LRA, ADF rebels granted amnesty

Uganda should have right to invade neighbour DR Congo

Former Uganda rebel group seen regrouping in Congo

Solomon Akugizibwe, Ultimate Media

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The Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Eastern Africa advocacy officer has indicated that the recent US legislation on disarmament and reconstruction of Northern Uganda after years of Lords Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency is a huge step forward to help the internally displaced people and the returnees rebuild their lives.

Jesuit Refugee Services

The 2009 Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act was signed into law by US President Barrack Obama on 24 May 2010. If operationalised, the act will help protect and assist civilians affected by the LRA insurgency, assist surrendering combatants and help bring the rebel leadership to justice.

In a press statement seen by Ultimate Media, Ngumuta appealed for more financial support from the US government to help in skills training, literacy education, psychosocial support, community outreach and building houses for extremely vulnerable people affected by the over 20 years LRA insurgency.

People in Northern Uganda are slowly returning to their homes after the LRA shifted their bases to Northern DR Congo and Central Africa Republic (CAR). Government of Uganda and donor efforts to rebuild the region has helped improve people’s livelihoods.

The insurgency has led to millions of displacements, thousands of abductions and deaths of people of Northern Uganda, South Sudan, DR Congo and CAR.

Ultimate Media

The post NGO says US legislation on LRA will help improve lives first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.