UGANDA

NORTHERN CONFLICTS
was hard to come by in the Acholi region, with the majority of people displaced in IDP
camps. Further, perhaps, the LRA sought the support of former rebels in these areas. 358
The LRA’s incursion in Lango caused mass displacement and suffering similar to that in
Acholiland. With support from the UPDF, the population organised itself in militias called
the Amuka Boys, also referred to as the Rhino group. Participants commented that these
poorly trained and under-equipped militias were among the primary victims of conflict,
as they were targeted by the LRA. 359
75. Opon-Acak’s alleged rebellion (1999)
Participants in Lango believed that the alleged rebellion by Opon-Acak, the former Chief
of Staff of the army under Obote, was fabricated by the Government to get rid of him. It
was alleged he had started a rebel group called ‘Citizens’s Army for Multi Party Politics’
(CAMP), with only twelve members and just a few guns. Many participants doubted the
Government’s claim that Opon-Acak was killed in battle. 360
358 Lomo, Z. and Hovil, L. (2004) Behind the violence: The war in northern Uganda. Institute for Security
Studies, Pretoria, South Africa
359 Field Research conducted in Lira District
360 Research conducted in Lira District.
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