Lt. Charles Okello, a commander of the Ugandan LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), was captured in the Central African Republic. According to the spokesman for the UPDF (Ugandan People’s Defence Force), Paddy Ankunda, the capture took place in a battle 20km west of Bakuma, in which 10 hostages held by the rebels were also freed, including three children.

Also arms and munitions were recovered in the operation conducted by the UPDF, the Ugandan contingent of the African Union Regional Task Force (AURTF). The New Vision newspaper also reports that another LRA commander James Onen surrendered last week in the Zombo district, in northern Uganda.

Since 2005 attacks by the Ugandan rebel group have diminished, as also its combatants, today estimated to be 250 active in the Central African Republic, South Sudan and DR-Congo. The historical leader of the LRA, Joseph Kony, is still wanted.