LIRA DISTRICT: REBELS KILL OVER 20 PEOPLE IN FOUR VILLAGES
The rebels of the self-styled LRA (Lordâs Resistance Army) killed at least 22 people in north Uganda on the afternoon of 31 December, local sources told MISNA today. However, they say the death toll could be even higher. The militias attacked four villages in the sub-county of Aloi, roughly 20 kilometres northeast of the city of Lira, chief town of the district of the same name: Omio, where seven civilians were killed; Alefton (five dead); the âRailway stationâ (four dead); Bardago (six dead). The rebels apparently lined up their victims before hacking them to death with machetes. The parish priest of Aloi, Father Andrew Okeng, has confirmed the massacre, having visited the site yesterday. The relatives of the Omio victims buried their dead under army escort. The spokesman for the Ugandan armed forces in the Lira district, Chris Magezi, contacted by MISNA, said he âknew nothingâ about what had happened. On 31 December, the communities in the Lira area were preparing for a quiet New Year celebration in fear of fresh attacks. Local sources say roughly 100,000 people have died in the LRA incursions in the northern districts of Uganda since 1987, while over 20,000 minors have been abducted. The boys are forced to enlist, while the girls become the slaves of the rebel military leaders.
[LC]
