James Shilaku, the Abim Resident District Commissioner, revealed that recent attacks by suspected Karimojong warriors from Kotido, using bows and arrows, had resulted in casualties and forced residents to flee their villages out of fear for their lives.
According to John Robert Adupa, the LC 3 Chairperson of Lotisan Sub County, residents from Kidepo who were following the footprints of suspected thieves were alerted by someone from Looyarakamwae village in Rupa Sub County that an unidentified man had been murdered in the area.
In the past two months alone, at least 28 civilians have been shot by the warriors, and an unspecified number of livestock has been raided.
Emmanuel Owena, the LC3 chairperson for Alerek Sub County in Abim district told URN that they are worried about an increase in the attacks by suspected Karimojong warriors using bow and arrows.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson, stated that the security operations led to the recovery of 1,121 cows out of 1,208 that were raided between April 16th and April 23rd, 2023.
Robert Koryang, a resident of Lotome trading center says that they are worried about going to their farm gardens which are far away from home because of threats from the cattle raiders.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson says that they have registered 284 civilians killed between the months of July 2022 and January 2023 following the ongoing disarmament process.
Joseph Pulkol, the LCIII Sub County Chairperson says that he has spent three weeks hiding in Moroto Town because the suspected warriors from the Matheniko community have threatened to attack him.
Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd division commander confirmed the incident saying the forces who were on their way to track stolen cows were ambushed by suspected warriors who killed one of them before taking his gun.
Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander says they have launched operations against people who are burning charcoal in the bushes in order to frustrate their plans for the warriors to raid people’s livestock.
Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander said that some suspects who pretend to surrender guns peacefully have got a big following of raiders and setting them free becomes a mockery to the security forces. He says that several raiders who surrendered guns to the security forces have been re-arrested with more guns despite possessing amnesty certificates.
Brig Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd division Army commander said the suspects Identified as Elijah Lobucel, the sub county chairperson and Mario Logit, the district councilor are accused of masterminding the killing of the GISO in Lokopo sub county.
The Fifth Infantry Division Commander, Brig. William Bainomugisha said that he wasn’t aware of the reported entry of rustlers in Agago running away from the ongoing operations in Karamoja. He however says in any case if the rustlers sneak across the border, they would be repulsed with force due to the heavy deployment of UPDF soldiers along the Agago, Karamoja border.
Epitu Gadi, the Kaabong District Deputy Resident District Commissioner revealed that the people killed were either investigating the rustlers or those who have reported to the authorities about the raids of their cattle.
