Rebels Hit Otada Bus
By Dennis Ojwee
AT least five passengers were killed when the LRA ambushed an Otada bus from Kampala to Kitgum via Gulu at Okinga, 72km on the Gulu - Kitgum road last evening.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sources said they carried five bodies in their vehicle from the scene to Kitgum town. Other sources said other people were killed inside the bus.
Pader LC5 chief Edwin Yakobo Komakech yesterday evening said, “When I heard about the ambush, I immediately rushed to the office of the ICRC in Lira from where I confirmed the information that the bus was ambushed by rebels at Okinga.”
“The source there told me that at least five people who were killed on the spot were carried in their vehicle to Kitgum town but many passengers were believed to have been killed in the bus when the rebels showered bullets at it. We cannot get details now but we hope to do so by tomorrow morning (today),” Komakech said.
Sources within Gulu identified the bus registration number as UAA 420W belonging to Otada Bus Company.
Sources said the bus left the park at about 1:00pm yesterday. The number of the passengers could not be established by press time. It was also impossible to tell if some passengers were abducted.
Sources said the bus was set ablaze by the rebels and abandoned by the road side at Okinga, about 10km to Acholibur trading centre. Acholibur is 82km from Gulu on Lira-Kitgum road in Pader district.
Fourth Division spokesman Lt. Paddy Ankunda said, “We are still trying to get whatever details available.
We’re very sorry about the ambush.”
Ends
Published on: Tuesday, 12th November, 2002
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