Kampala — The UPDF directive to people in Acholi to leave their villages and move into camps has been met with suspicion among residents.

Lira District Chairman Charles Odwe Arago said Friday that the move showed that government was not interested in a peaceful end to the war. He said the directive represent a new dimension in the war.

"Why are they telling people to leave the villages now? Does it mean they are going to use scorched earth policy?" Odwe wondered. "Does it mean they are going to use some dangerous weapons."

Odwe was appearing on WBS television Programme, Question Time. He was with the Lira Women MP, Margaret Ateng Otim.

The UPDF spokesman denied that the army was planning to use a scorched earth policy. He said the people were being asked to move to the camps to prevent them being caught in crossfire between the army and the rebels.

"We are hunting human beings, we are not hunting edible rats," Maj. Shaban Bantariza said yesterday. "So why would we set villages on fire?"

He also dismissed rumours that the army wanted to use nerve gas on the rebels.

"We can't use nerve gas because we would also suffer from it," Bantarizza said. He said Odwe was a good civilian leader but that he should let the army do its Lubimbi to save people's lives.

Speaking on how the suffering of the people in the north can be ended, Odwe said peace had never been given a chance. He said government had never been an honest negotiator and neither had the LRA.

"I strongly believe that the government of Uganda holds the key to peace in this country," he said. "For sixteen years, the military has failed, why don't we try peace for just one year?"

Meanwhile the Acholi Makerere University Students Association (AMSA) has also criticised the army directive.

AMSA chairman Dan Oola said in a statement yesterday that the decision was harsh and could put the lives of innocent civilians in danger.

Oola said the camps have been burn down and lack adequate facilities like shelter, toilets, food and water.