LRA attacks aimed at dismantling camps - Red Cross report

The rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has intensified its attacks in northern Uganda in recent weeks with the main objective of forcing internally displaced persons (IDPs) out of camps protected by the Ugandan army, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has said.

It its June situation report on northern Ugandan relief operations, the URCS said the LRA's military strategy now seemed to be focused on dismantling the camps, established by the Ugandan government, which house an estimated 800,000 civilians.

The LRA has not only intensified its attacks on the three Acholi districts of Kitgum, Gulu and Pader, but has also extended its activities into surrounding Apac, Lira, Adjumani, Katakwi and Soroti, where hundreds of people have been abducted.

"Abductions and food raids, within and without camps, have not only become rampant but over the last two weeks have spread to new areas," the URCS report said. "According to some rumours circulating, the LRA has intention to dismantle IDP camps by force."

The increased LRA activities outside the Acholi sub-region have spread fear and panic among residents, some of whom have been fleeing southwards. The URCS has estimated the number of civilians constantly on the move both in Soroti and Katakwi at 15,000.

"The population is so mobile that there is incoming information that some IDPs are showing up in Mbale, eastern Uganda. The situation is highly fluid, constantly changing," the report said.

The intensified LRA attacks on and around the protected camps have further hampered humanitarian activities in the region, URCS added.

In Lira, the authorities have reportedly closed down schools in affected areas due to increased abductions of students.

Rose Ongom, Lira secretary for education, said four schools in the district had been closed down temporarily due to the prevailing insecurity. "Some primary schools are still operating but we are monitoring the situation. If it worsens, all primary schools will be closed," the government-owned New Vision newspaper quoted Ongom as saying on Monday.