18 people dead in Karimojong clashes

By Charles Ariko and James Ekweu

EIGHTEEN people were killed when Jie and Bokora warriors clashed at Panyangara sub-county in Kotido district last week.

Henry Obbo, UPDF’s 3rd division spokesman, said the fight erupted after Bokora warriors crossed to the district to raid cattle from the Jie.

“They began fighting from around 2:00am to morning. We were informed of the clashes the next day, 12 hours after they started.”
He said the Jie lost six people while 12 Bokora warriors were killed and four others who had been captured were later slain.

Obbo said the army used a helicopter gunship to recover 453 heads of cattle looted from the Jie. The animals were handed-over to the owners.

He dispelled fears that women and children had been killed in the fight.
The Kotido LC5 chairman, Paul Lomanio, feared that the number of the dead could be higher than what had been recorded.

“You know our people do not bury such people. I suspect other bodies could have been pulled away from the kraal where the clashes occurred.”

Jean Mark Aporu, a peace officer, said some of the injured victims were being treated at Kanawat health centre.