Suspected Karimojong Warriors Ambush Joint Security Forces in Karenga

Suspected Karimojong warriors have shot and injured two security officers in an ambush in Karenga district. The two officers attached from the Sangar Military detachment in Karenga South ASTU zone were responding to intelligence indicating that armed Karimojong warriors had been spotted in nearby villages, drinking and planning a raid mission around 4:00 pm on Monday evening.  

Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional police spokesperson, says that the officers from the joint security forces came under attack while on their way to apprehend the suspected warriors. The injured officers are Jamri Mulondo, 27, and James Omara, 36, both attached to Sangar ASTU detachment and Sangar UPDF detachment respectively. 

Longole condemned the ambush on the personnel and noted that the joint security forces are currently investigating the motive behind the attack. He emphasized that the region had been experiencing a period of relative peace in recent days, and the resurgence of criminal activity was a regrettable incident that could not be tolerated. 

‘’We shall strongly continue to support and rally masses for peace in Karamoja despite setbacks from few criminal elements,’’ Longole reiterated. In a related development, the police in Kaabong District are conducting an investigation into a separate incident in Morungole Sub County, where two people were murdered, and one person sustained injuries.

It is alleged that on September 29th, the trio visited the Lonipe Gold mining site at around 6:30 p.m. and were attacked by suspected Turkana armed warriors, numbering six in total. Two of the victims were fatally shot, while one sustained injuries. The deceased were identified as Lotede Logwe, 8, and Naitasia Komol, 58, while Longole Ilukol survived with injuries. They were all residents of Lopelipel village, Morungole Sub County, Kaabong District. 

Longole Ilukol managed to crawl to nearby bushes with bullet wounds on the buttocks. The assailants also made off with property valued at Shillings 800,000. Longole stated that the police have yet to visit the primary crime scene, and the joint forces have initiated a search for the suspected warriors. The injured victim was evacuated to Kaabong Hospital for further treatment from Lopelipel Health Centre II and issued with PF3 (Police Form 3 for reporting injuries).