Rebels strike in eastern Uganda

By Will Ross
BBC correspondent in Soroti

Rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have killed 20 people in a fresh attack in eastern Uganda, officials say.

Among the dead were several members of a recently formed civilian militia group.

LRA rebels have terrorised the population for the last 17 years, but have no clear political agenda.

In recent months they have extended their operations from the north of the country to the east.

The Ugandan authorities will see this latest attack as a setback.

The LRA rebels struck in Asumuk Olekai, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of Soroti town.

According to the Ugandan army spokesman, at least half of the 20 people killed were members of a recently formed civilian defence force, known as the Arrow Group.

One man died after stepping on a landmine laid by the rebels.

Continuing threat

The decision to arm civilians was taken just over three months ago, when the LRA extended its area of operation from the north of the country to the east.

The Arrow Group has been fairly successful in defending the population and its effort has been widely welcomed by the civilians.

But Saturday's attack comes just two days after the rebels attacked Amilimil, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Soroti, killing 10 civilians whilst they were farming.

It demonstrates that the rebels still pose a considerable threat to the civilians' security.

For the past 17 years the LRA rebels have carried out brutal attacks on the civilian population in the north, where close to a million people have been displaced.

The rebels have no clear political agenda and efforts to talk peace with them have so far failed, as have attempts to defeat the rebels militarily.