Rebels kill seven civilians in north Uganda

Suspected Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels killed seven civilians in northern Uganda today when they opened fired on a vehicle…

Suspected Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels killed seven civilians in northern Uganda today when they opened fired on a vehicle.

The attack occurred north of Kitgum town, according to local district administrator Mr Santo Okoth Lapolo.

"The pick-up truck was coming from Agolo in Lamwo county when it came under attack," he said.

Six people were wounded in the attack, including a two-year-old baby whose mother was among the dead.

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"Four bodies were recovered from the scene, but three could not be recovered because they were inside the vehicle that was burning," said Mr Lapolo.

The LRA has been fighting since 1988 ostensibly to replace President Yoweri Museveni's secular government with an administration based on the Bible's Ten Commandments.

Their campaign been marked by widespread violence against civilians, whom they often abduct and force to join their ranks.

Hundreds have died in the violence, which has also left more than 800,000 residents of northern Uganda homeless.

AFP