A security officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the deceased, Stephen Lochu, had previously been recruited by the UPDF in 2022 to work as a security informer.
The leaders who serve as the chairpersons of security committees at the sub-county level have been at the forefront of advocating for peace and disarmament. However, they are now living in fear as they are being targeted by the armed Karamojong warriors who accuse them of working with the Security forces to frustrate their cattle raid missions.
While Karamoja currently enjoys relative peace, concerns remain over isolated cases of cattle rustling in South Karamoja and surrounding areas in Sebei.
The warriors, who have been terrorizing the sub-counties of Rupa and Lotisan, had taken a break following security deployment and patrols in hotspot areas, particularly Nakiloro trading center, which led to the arrest of two notorious warriors.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning when six armed warriors abducted two women, Komowa Lote and her mother-in-law Otiama Nause, both residents of Naniman village in Lotisan sub-county, while they were gathering white ants nearby.
Simon Lokori, the chairperson of the Kaabong Reformed Warriors Association said that they were tasked to form groups for government finds it easy to support them.
Judith Natuk, a community mobilizer, warned of escalating insecurity as some warriors refused to surrender their guns. She noted fresh attacks, urging joint efforts to apprehend wrongdoers and recover stolen firearms.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said that Apule who was armed with a rifle later pointed a gun at Songok. Longole added that the warrior ordered the three to move toward the bush before shooting the officer.
The suspects have been identified as Paskari Lochoro, a seller and Faizal Kabusera, the buyer were arrested on Friday at Nakapiripirit - Mbale taxi stage.
On 26th Jan 24 armed Turkana herdsmen crossed into the Ugandan territory with a herd of cattle and had been grazing in Lotisan sub county, Moroto district, an action that undermines the existing Executive order No 3 of 19 May 2023.
It is against this background that the forces in the operation area of Mogos had impounded the livestock in order for armed Turkana herdsmen to surrender illegal guns.
Elias Kasirabo, the commandant Anti Stock Theft Unit- ASTUs noted that the presidential directives have helped the security forces to manage the operations and reclaimed relative peace in the region.
Longoli admitted to coordinating attacks in Karenga, Kotido, and Kaabong districts and disclosed sharing the gun with colleagues who are still at large, all from Kaabong district.
The security team has established that all the armed warriors who used to terrorize the districts of kaabong and kotido have crossed to karenga district where they are hiding in the game park. The warriors are now stealing people’s food and feed on wild meat before going for cattle raids.
Early last month, the district security committee gave the armed warriors up to two weeks to come out of the jungle and use the amnesty window to surrender illegal firearms in their possession. However, the time has elapsed without any single gun recovered and the security situation is worsening despite several security peace dialogues.
Following the peace dialogues between the Pian and Pokot, the leaders from both sides have asked the authorities to consider allowing the two communities to jointly graze their cattle so that they can strengthen their peace mission.
Michael Longole, the Mt. Moroto regional Police spokesperson said that PC Abala was convicted and dismissed from the Uganda Police Force for masterminding and misleading other officers to commit a crime.
