At least 150 people were killed on Saturday night by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels at Acokadet internally displaced persons camp in Ogur, about 32 km north of Uganda's northern town of Lira, Radio Uganda reported on Sunday.  

However, there are conflicting reports about the number of victims killed in the camp.

Ugandan Minister of State for Youth and Child Affairs Okot Ogongo Sunday quoting Lira district chairman Frank Ojur puts the figure at between 150 and 180.

Other sources from Lira town said that between 155 and 170 people were killed.

However, Ugandan army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said that the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) commanders are still on the ground ascertaining the details.

Bantariza was quoted by the government radio as saying that the attack took place between 6 and 7 pm (1500-1600 GMT).

"Most of the victims were burnt in their huts where they had taken refuge during the attack mounted by between 50 to 70 rebels, Bantariza said.

He said the local militiamen who were deployed around the camp to protect the people, were no match for the heavily armed rebels and just withdrew.

The incident follows another attack on Abia internally displaced persons camp recently in the same district in which over 50 people were killed.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2004)