Rebels Attack Lira Villages

The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
January 5, 2004
Posted to the web January 5, 2004

By Richard M. Kavuma & Joe Wacha
Lira
Rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army killed 24 people in the district last
week.
The Rome-based Missionary Service News Agency reported on Friday that that 22
people had been hacked to death.
Although the army has denied knowledge of the incident, several sources say the
rebels attacked at least four villages in Aloi sub-county on Wednesday
afternoon. Aloi is 20km northeast of Lira town.
Earlier reports reaching Lira indicated that 20 people had been killed but by
Saturday the figure had risen to 24.
Bereaved relatives were by Saturday still arriving in Lira town to place burial
radio announcements.
The LC-V councillor for Aloi, Mr George Ongom, said the rebels attacked the
villages of Omio, Pe-Obwolo and Alal, while Misna included Bardago and Alebtong
villages.
Ongom said many of the dead had ventured out of Aloi trading centre (IDP camp)
to get food from the villages.
According to Misna, seven people were reportedly killed in Omio, five in
Alebtong, four in Pe-Obwolo and six in Bardago.
Aloi parish priest Fr Andrew Okeng confirmed the raid after visiting the
affected villages on Thursday.
Misna reported that relatives of the Omio victims buried their dead under army
escort. But the army's 5 Division spokesman, Lt. Chris Magezi, told Misna he
"knew nothing" of the attack.
On Saturday, Magezi told The Monitor there was no such attack in Aloi.
Moroto MP Alex Okot could not give any details about the rebel attack.
"The army has denied everything but we know there was an attack and people
died," the MP said by telephone.
Okot added: "It is very difficult to confirm and I think the army is taking
advantage of that to deny everything."
The rebel attack came hours before President Museveni declared - in his New
Year address - that the LRA had been defeated in Lango and Teso regions.
The LRA has for the last 15 years mostly operated in Acholi, regularly
attacking the two neighbouring areas.

   

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