Catholic Mission Attacked in Northern Uganda

Catholic Relief Services
Friday, 25 April 2003

Gunmen from the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) attacked the Catholic mission at Gulu, in northern Uganda last night, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) reports. The priests' residence was raided, and one priest was abducted but later released. In addition, several vehicles on the compound were burned. CRS' office in Gulu is located next door to the mission but was left unharmed.

Yesterday's attack comes on the heels of Wednesday's abduction by LRA forces of more than 180 civilians in the Lira district, south of Gulu. The attack on the Gulu mission is the first since the war between the LRA and government forces intensified last summer. It is unknown whether the attackers were acting under orders from a central authority or represented a splinter group.

The LRA comprises the remnants of an insurgency that began in 1986 when President Yoweri Museveni assumed power. In the past decade, it is estimated that the group has abducted more than 15,000 children in northern Uganda for use as fighters or sex slaves. The group seeks to form a government based on the Ten Commandments and is led by Joseph Kony, who claims to have supernatural powers.

CRS has been working in Uganda since 1996. The agency has provided emergency relief in times of both war and natural disasters. Programs are now tailored to long-term development work and peace building. CRS maintains three offices, with the main office in Kampala and two sub-offices: Gulu and Fort Portal, in northern and western Uganda, respectively.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Relief Services, see their website at: www.catholicrelief.org