AFRICA/UGANDA - Catholic cleric arrested in northern Uganda: “I had a brief meeting with Reverend Ojiam and found him calm and confident” the Archbishop of Gulu told Fides

Kitgum (Fides Service)- “I had a brief meeting with Rev. Ojiam and found him calm and confident that his position will be soon cleared” Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu (northern Uganda), told Fides with regard to Rev. Matthew Ojiam vicar episcopal of Kitgum diocese, arrested by the Ugandan police in November 1. “We know that Reverend Ojiam is being questioned by the police and magistrates but we do not know the charges brought against him” the Archbishop told Fides
“Some information sources are speculating that Rev. Ojiam is in contact with the rebels. But I am doubt very much that this is true because in the area in which he operates it is very difficult to move about in safety” the Archbishop of Gulu told Fides.
Rev. Ojiam was attested with two other priests at the parish house, Christ the King parish in Kitgum on November 1 in the evening. The other two priests were released shortly afterwards.
For 18 years northern Uganda has been the scene of civil war with the Lord’s Resistance Army attacking innocent civilians. Some months ago the Ugandan army launched a vast offensive against LRA bases. The local Catholic Church and other religious leaders have made various attempts to mediate to end the conflict which at least 300,000 lives. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/11/2004 righe 24 parole 266)