Rebels kill 11 students in van ambush

Suspected rebels have ambushed a minibus carrying restaurant and hotel management students through a national park in northern Uganda, killing 11 people.

The students were visiting Murchison Falls National Park on a field trip when gunmen suspected of being members of the Lord's Resistance Army opened fire near Pakuba.

Two students were taken to hospital and two are missing.

Police spokesman Assumane Mugenye said: "Eleven of them of them were killed, nine students, the director of the institute and one game ranger attached to the national park who was escorting them.

Mugenye said the army is trying to track the gunmen in the park.

Led by a man claiming to be a spirit medium with supernatural powers, the Lord's Resistance Army is noted for enslaving children for fighting, chores and sex.

They operate from camps in southern Sudan and launch guerrilla attacks throughout northern Uganda.