Fresh instability rocked Uganda yesterday as the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) resumed hostilities and killed at least, 40 persons in a raid on a camp for displaced civilians.
Many more persons were wounded in the attack.
Reports said the rebels raided the camp near Lira in northern Uganda, which is home to thousands of civilians displaced by the intermittent war, leaving a “scene of unprecedented cruelty.”
The attack was said to have followed a recent deployment of civilian militia in the area.
Some reports quoted an unnamed local official in the camp as saying that 47 persons were killed, including two government soldiers.
According to eyewitnesses, more than 100 LRA members surrounded the Abiya camp and there was an exchange of fire between the rebels and the Uganda Army troops.
“The rebels then overran the camp, using machetes and clubs. Civilians were attacked and those attempting to flee were shot.
“The rebels set fire to over 100 huts before fleeing the area,” the reports said.
Meanwhile, dozens of people are said to be receiving treatment in Lira hospital with severe burns, gunshot wounds and cuts.
Earlier in the week, the Ugandan military had announced that it would send troops into Southern Sudan in pursuit of LRA rebels.