| Atiak | |
|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |
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Atiak
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Uganda |
| Region | Northern Uganda |
| Sub-region | Acholi sub-region |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | |
| Elevation | 2,789 ft (850 m) |
Atiak is a town in Northern Uganda. It is one if the municipalities in Amuru District, the others being:
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Atiak is situated in Kilak County, in Amuru District. It is located approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi), by road, north of Gulu, the largest city in the sub-region.[1] The town is located only 50 kilometres (31 mi), south of the border with Southern Sudan at Nimule. The coordinates of the town are:3° 15' 54.00"N, 32° 7' 30.00"E (Latitude:3.2650; Longitude:32.1250).
The town was the location of the Atiak Massacre in 1995. On April 20, 1995, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), marched into town. After defeating the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers who were guarding the town, the LRA rounded up an estimated three hundred (300) men, marched them to a nearby river and executed them by firing squad. They then handpicked young boys and young girls from the rest, to conscript into their ranks and to use as sex slaves. They then melted back into the bush.[2]
The exact population of Atiak is not known at this time.
The landmarks within the town limits or close to the edges of the town include: