25 abducted in Uganda
2002-09-06 16:03
Kampala, Uganda - Rebels abducted 25 civilians during a raid on a town in northern Uganda, an army official said on Friday.
Lord's Resistance Army rebels looted Larogi village, 380
kilometres north of the capital Kampala, on Thursday
night, army spokesperson Paddy Ankunda said. However, he said he didn't have any further details.
Despite a cease-fire proposed by both sides, small rebel units
continue to raid towns and villages in northern Uganda. The group
purports to represent the Acholi people of northern Uganda, but
depends on abducted children to fill their ranks and is widely
despised
UN agencies estimate thousands of children have been abducted
since the insurgency began in 1987, with the boys trained as
soldiers and the girls used as concubines.
President Yoweri Museveni won permission from the Sudanese
government in March to launch military operations against rebel
camps in southern Sudan.
Despite claims that most of the rebel bases have been destroyed, attacks in northern Uganda have worsened. - Sapa-AP
- SAPA