By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

GULU, Uganda – Vincent Otti, who was second in command of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) disappeared for weeks after violence broke out in Uganda. Speculation arose that he was killed a few weeks ago during the violence. Earlier this week, a Uganda army spokesman, Lt Chris Magezi, confirmed to the BBC that Mr Otti and his wife and children were killed weeks ago.

Nevertheless, rebel leader, Joseph Kony has stated that the Northern Ugandan deputy leader Vincent Otti is purposively not deceased but alive and under arrest in Uganda. Joseph Kony claims that Mr. Otti was arrested for being a government spy. Otti has not yet been ordered an execution.

An LRA spokesman visiting Uganda, Martin Ojul , has denied rumors that Otti is suffering from Cholera.

Presently, Mr. Otti and Mr. Kony are two of four LRA commanders wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed during the 20 year war. Both men remain in hiding in the north-east region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A team from the South Sudanese government has been assembled to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo to report on Mr. Otti’s status.

Moreover, the OTP [Office of the Prosecutor] from the ICC is “in consultation with the Registry, is taking steps to assess the veracity of these reports (on Otti’s alleged demise) including making an official request to the Government of Uganda, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other relevant authorities for additional information”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Uganda Rebel Deputy is not Dead – 9 November 2007

AllAfrica – Uganda: IICC Probes Vincent Otti’s Fate – 9 November 2007

BBC – Ugandan Deputy Rebel Feared Dead  – 7 November 2007