Uganda’s LRA attacks in Yambio, terrorising Equatorians
Mar 20, 2006 (YAMBIO) — Two days ago, on March 18, Yambio residents awoke to another heavy assault on the town from Midnight. Locals say rebel Lord Resistance Army came and starting attacking many places to loot.
There was heavy gunfire all over the town and this lasted for more than six hours, till dawn.
“Some UN peace keeping force and SPLA forces fought back but it seems our forces were pinned down in their places and LRA went on to loot many houses and places”, said a local source to Sudan Tribune.
One of the places looted by the rebels is the Catholic Church Bishop’s residence. Report from his spokespersons (Fr. Mathew mention a number of items looted from the Bishop). Even the Bishops life was in dander as fighting at the Church resulted in one LRA being killed.
“The LRA “broke into the Catholic Bishops compound and collected the base Radio. They broke the store and stole a specified number of goods. […] They broke the glass window of the Bishop’s car, the spokesperson of the Catholic Church said.
He added that one of the LRA was killed by the body gourds of the Governor.
Many of the NGOs from Yambio had already been evacuated. As they attacked again also the UNCEF compound, some people got killed and others injured.”
Further reports also talk of at least 2 people killed — probably soldiers from SPLA — as well as the LRA killed at the Catholic Church compound. However people talk of more deaths.
The South Sudan must really take security serious because ignoring security and pouring money into developments projects can only mean wasting those money if they programmes will be destroyed by LRA.
Angered people in Yambio urge government of southern Sudan to reinforce the security in the area. “What we can do is spend money on armed forces and equipment and get our army to a better standard to be in position to defend the land and the people”.
“Unless the LRA are taught a lesson they will continue to take Southern Sudan alas an easy place to come from Garamba forest in Congo for raids” said another one. It was confirmed a week ago when Ugandan army captured one LRA rebel and he told them how they were managing with looting every two seeks from Southern Sudan.
(ST)