The Monitor (Kampala)
June 16, 2003
Posted to the web June 16, 2003
Richard M. Kavuma and Patrick Ebong
Kampala
At least 15 people were killed and about 100 abducted yesterday after suspected Lord's Resistance Army rebels raided Lira and Apac districts.
The LRA rebels attacked Alito trading centre in Apac district in the wee hours of Sunday, leaving 15 people dead.
Alito is 15 miles west of Lira town.
According to Mr Goldin Aporo, the spokesman of Ojune Division in Lira Municipality, the rebels then crossed into Aromo, Barr and Ogur sub-counties in Lira.
Barr is 10 miles east of Lira town.
The rebels also reportedly looted property and burnt close to 200 huts in Alito and surrounding areas.
The Uganda army (UPDF) spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza said that the army is pursuing the rebels.
He would, however, not confirm the casualties.
"That is what we have not yet conclusively established," Maj. Bantariza said.
Lt. Paddy Ankunda, the spokesman for the army's 4th Division, had earlier told The Monitor that he knew of eight people killed, several injured and at least 100 huts burnt.
Barr sub-county chairman Tom Akar said that the rebels abducted 15 students from Bulunge Comprehen-sive Secondary and Technical School, but three of them later escaped.
One of the three students bore wounds on the neck and left arm.
Forty other people were reportedly abducted from Abunga, 17 from Ololango and eight from Barr parishes.
Mr Akar commended the "quick response" of the UPDF soldiers, who reportedly managed to rescue seven people.
