The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) under the 4th Division Infantry headquarters based in Gulu on Sunday safely detonated dozens of bombs that were recovered at return sites by the resettling farmers while opening their gardens.
The unexploded ordnances (UXOs) are believed to have been abandoned by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels during the peak of the northern Uganda insurgency.
Since September last year, the army has recovered more than fifteen 88MM bombs in villages across northern Uganda.
Capt. Caesar Otim Olweny, the 4th Division Army Public Relations Officer (PRO) explained on Sunday that the bombs that were destroyed during the bulky demolition were no longer useful after they failed to fire.
He noted that the bombs pose a great risk to the lives of the former IDPs who are resettling in the villages and advised farmers to be vigilant since they can end up becomings victims in case of explosion.
According to Capt. Olweny, the weapons are no longer useable and the best thing is to destroy them before they explode and cause havoc.
Capt. Olweny said, “Some of the UXOs were abandoned by LRA rebels during battle with the government forces during the war in the north.”
For the last five years after the cessation of hostilities, the UPDF weapons engineers attached to the Combat Engineering Department has destroyed dozens of 20mm recoilless bombs, Rapid Propeller Grenades and 84MM bombs, anti tank landmines destroyed among others.
Districts that were heavily affected by LRA insurgency in Acholi and Lango sub region are Gulu, Pader, Kitgum, Abim, Lamwo, Dokolo, Alebtong, Lira, Kole, Otuke, Oyam, Agago, Amolatar, Apac, and Kaberamaido to rid it of the UXO.
Ms Catherine Lamwaka, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner, says her office have been receiving a number of reports from civilians about the overwhelming numbers of abandoned unexploded ordnances since they started going back home from IDP camps in 2006.
Caption: (UXOs packed in Pit by 4th Division UPDF Combat Engineering Department before demolition on Sunday. Photo by James Owich)
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