Kampala — Rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army on Wednesday attacked Palabek-kal mission in Lamwo County in Kitgum.

The rebels also took away the church's radio call transmitter. The rebels reportedly abducted many people but the number was yet to be known by press time.

"The rebels were first seen around 7 p.m. but they attacked the mission at 8 p.m.," Mr John Oketa, a local leader, told The Monitor on phone yesterday.

Mr Oketa is the Movement chairman for Palabek-kal sub-county.

He said that about 30 rebels first kidnapped one Seydou, a staff of Caritas, a Catholic Church charity.

"They said that they would kill him if he did not show them where the radio call transmitter was hidden," he said.

He said that the rebels executed their mission unchallenged, without even firing a single shot. The transmitter was used by the mission to make both local and international calls.

The Vicar General of Gulu Archdiocese Msgr. Matthew Odong confirmed the incident.

He said the parish priest Rev. Fr. Samuel Mwaka was away when the rebels struck.

"It is true, the rebels truck the mission and took away communication equipment," Msgr Odong said.

Another resident, Mr Charles Odonga, said that the sub-county has been attacked more than eight times since last November.

Mr Oketa said that the rebels freely move around in the villages that have been vacated. Most people have moved into the displaced people's camps.

Unconfirmed reports yesterday said another attack had taken place at Kamdini corner.

Travellers said a military lorry was burning on Tocci Bridge, 5km from Kamdini corner along Lira road.

They said the rebels hit the lorry at about 1 p.m. Three mambas, armored battle vehicles, were seen rushing from Gulu toward Kampala road around the same time the incident was reported.

Another report said suspected LRA rebels killed three local police constables at Kitgum Matidi sub-county headquarters on Wednesday.

UPDF 4 Division spokesman Lt. Paddy Ankunda declined to comment.

He said the areas in question were outside the 4 Division jurisdiction.