Uganda civilians fear rebel atrocities

KAMPALA, Uganda, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Residents of northern Uganda say they're fearful a regional military offensive there may spur rebels to commit atrocities on civilians.

Recent attacks by an international coalition of troops on positions held by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army rebels have prompted residents in the area to express fears that their lives are in danger from LRA leader Joseph Kony, the Voice of America reported Tuesday.

Regional forces from Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and south Sudan launched the attacks on Dec. 14 against an LRA hideout in northeastern Congo. But Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Kony was able to escape because he had eavesdropped on military radio communications and escaped just before the attacks began.

Human rights groups have accused the LRA of abducting children and forcing them into combat among many other abuses. Ugandan Defense Minister Ruth Nankabirwa told VOA she understands the concerns of the residents, but said, "The LRA is a threat whether you attack them or not, they will kill and abduct the children because that is their method of work.

"But we just want to assure (the residents) that I think what the region has done is the best."