Ugandan rebels kill 44 people
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KAMPALA, Uganda (Reuters) -- Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels killed at least 44 people on Thursday in a dawn raid on a camp for people uprooted by fighting in the north of the country, a priest in the area said.
Catholic priest Sebat Ayala told Reuters by telephone that about 300 rebels attacked the Abia camp, more than 300 km (180 miles) north of Kampala, before being repulsed by army troops. The army said at least 20 people were confirmed killed.
Priests in northern Uganda have a solid track record of providing accurate accounts of rebel attacks.
"Forty-four people have been confirmed dead and another 70 were seriously injured in the attack," Sebat said.
"The rebels, about 300 of them, attacked the camp, overpowered the government troops and started killing people and burning huts," he said, adding the rebels had used rifles and artillery.
"It was horrific to see these poor defenceless people alone and at the mercy of these bandits. It is criminal," he said, speaking from Lira, a town about 30 km from Abia.
Sebat said he had visited the camp at Abia at around noon and counted 44 dead but was warned to leave soon after because it was suspected the rebels might still be in the area.
The army spokesman in the region said at least 20 were confirmed dead, quoting figures relayed to him by soldiers at the scene.
"At least 20 have been confirmed dead and more than 40 injured in the attack. That is the information I have," Lieutenant Charles Magezi said by telephone from Lira.
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