Uganda radio station destroyed

Ugandan troops are facing highly mobile rebels

By Will Ross BBC, Kampala

Rebels of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) have destroyed a radio station in the north of Uganda.

Just before dawn on Friday morning about 20 rebels of the Lords Resistance Army, LRA attacked the catholic owned station, Radio Wa, eight kilometres north of Lira town.

According to eyewitnesses the rebels used axes to break their way in before exploding several grenades inside the buildings. They then burnt the station to the ground.

Eyewitnesses say three people were killed by them.

The LRA has been fighting against the government for the past 16 years during which time they have abducted thousands of young Ugandans into their force.

Fleeing civilians

Speaking from the scene this afternoon Father Sebhat Ayele of the Catholic Pastoral Centre said everything was burnt to ashes.

One journalist from Lira told me he saw the body of a cyclist beside the road at Cura, 2 km east of the radio station. The rebels had killed the man who looked to be in his 20s with a machete.

Managers of the radio station said they had recently appealed to the authorities to provide extra security and on the night of the attack 12 government troops were guarding the area.

Thousands of civilians have been abducted.

However eyewitnesses reported that 11 of those troops fled when the rebels arrived.

Army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said he was not aware of this claim before adding that more troops have been sent and will continue to be sent to Lira District.

The continued presence of LRA rebels in the villages of Lira district has led to thousands fleeing their homes to seek sanctuary in the town itself.

The several hundred students of the Catholic mission¿s Comboni college last night evacuated their school having heard the rumours of an attack.

According to the mayor of Lira municipality, Peter Owiny, at least 20,000 people have moved to Lira town during the past week fearing rebel attacks.

He described the situation in the town as pathetic as there was a shortage of food and shelter - with many sleeping in churches and on the verandas of shops.

When the Ugandan army launched its offensive against the rebels six months ago it was optimistic that the LRA would soon be defeated.

However the highly mobile rebels have often eluded the army and continue to cause suffering for the inhabitants of northern Uganda.