UGANDA 26/4/2004 14:56 KITGUM: LATEST ATTACK BY REBELS, CHILDREN ABDUCTED General, Brief The rebels of the self-proclaimed LRA (lordâs Resistance Army) launched another attack late last night just a kilometres from Kitgum, capital of the northern district of the same name, MISNA sources have said. The same sources report that Kalashnikov fire was heard; however, it is not known if there were victims. Instead, it is certain that the âolumâ, as the rebels are known in the local Acholi language, abducted numerous boys and girls. The discovery was made by their schoolteachers when they called the register this morning; it is not possible to know exactly how many children were abducted. Typically, some of the children abducted by the rebels are subsequently released, but so far no one has returned home. The same sources told MISNA that the summer holidays are due to start in two days time, but that most of the youngsters do not want to go home for fear of falling victim to the olum. âThe situation is increasingly uncertian and worrying,â commented a civil society representative who has asked to remain nameless for security reasons. âThe rebels are out for food, and they stop at nothing in order to get it. They murder those who venture into the bush in search of something to eat. Unfortunately, these are such ordinary occurrences that they donât even qualify as news any more,â said the source.[LC]
