Uganda's New Vision daily newspaper reported today that the Ugandan military is investigating a recent series of road attacks in Kitgum district.

“We are investigating the circumstances under which several road ambushes by LRA rebels have prevailed in Kitgum district and not any other part. We shall take court action against some of our commanders who do not execute their duties,” he said.

The Ugandan military faces allegations that numerous commanders in the region have not been performing their expected duties and do not demonstrate a serious commitment to civilian protection.

AllAfrica.com reported today that two humanitarian organizations operating in northern Uganda have charged the Ugandan military with attempting to extort bribes in return for military protection. Humanitarian aid organizations utilize military convoys when delivering relief assistance to camps for the internally-displaced. This protection has been mandated by the Government of Uganda.

This allegation of corruption joins a host of other criticisms of the Ugandan military, also called the Ugandan Peoples' Defence Force (UPDF). Last year, it was discovered that numerous military officers were creating "ghost soldiers" to extort greater pay from the government. It is widely believed that profiteering from the war remains a significant challenge to attaining peace. The UPDF also faces numerous charges of severe abuse of human rights in northern Uganda.