Two UPDF helicopter gun-ships have hit a civilian position killing several and injuring over twenty.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in Aloi village in Moroto county, Lira.

Local leaders said the MI 24 choppers launched a one-hour air raid on Aloi village on positions thought to be temporary bases for Kony rebels.

The Lira LCV chairman, Dr. Charles Arago yesterday said: "Unfortunately they [UPDF pilots] did not identify the position of the rebels correctly and instead shelled a camp of people displaced from the Otuke [county] side."

The army admitted the incident but said only two civilians died.

UPDF spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza said: "We followed smoke by rebels who were cooking but when we reached there the civilians started running towards the side of the rebels. In the process two civilians were killed."

By last evening the Lira leadership had mobilised vehicles to carry more civilian casualties of the raid. "We have more than twenty in Lira Hospital now," said Dr. Arago.

Those seriously injured include Caroline Akulu together with her three-month old baby, a four-year old boy identified only as Ameri, Lucy Akello, George Acol 6, Evelyn Angwec 7, Susan Auma 6. They were taken to the hospital Sunday evening by a sympathiser identified as Daniel Oluk.

Reports said the fighting broke out again in Aloi between government forces and the rebels but there were no details.

A group of about 200 rebels has been in Lira for a week now and has clashed with the UPDF since last Friday when they attempted to attack Lira.

The fighting in Lira district has displaced over 12,000 people who have not received any form of relief aid.

The Otuke county MP Omara Atubo said: "We are trying to move a motion in parliament to force government to assist the fleeing people."

Reports reaching The Monitor also indicate that LRA rebels were celebrating the cease-fire news at Tegot village in Apala sub-county in Lira.

Sources said that they danced all night long after hearing the news and they were reportedly trading freely with the civilians in the area.