UPDF soldier killed by Pokot warriors named

By Raymond Baguma

A UPDF soldier died and four others were injured after an attack by Pokot warriors in Nakapiripirit district on Wednesday.

The UPDF Third Division spokesperson, Capt. Deo Akiiki, identified the dead soldier as Lance Corporal Milton Ogola.

The injured soldiers, who had gunshot wounds, were rushed to Mbale Regional Referal Hospital.

In an e-mail, Akiiki said, “Our forces are in hot pursuit of these criminals and so far, one gun has been recovered after they were cornered by our forces who are pursuing them.

“Our mission will not only be to disarm this group, but to eliminate them if they dare put up any resistance,” he added.

He said the soldiers were on patrol at Acherere Junction, along the road to Moroto in Nakapiripirit district when a group of about 15 armed Pokot warriors attacked them.

The warriors are said to have crossed from Amudat through Achor Achor Junction before ambushing them.

Akiiki said the group had been stopped by the local defence unit from raiding cattle from Nakapiripirit among the Pian community.

“These isolated incidences in the Karamoja sub-region will not deter us from realising total peace and development. Karamoja’s development is unstoppable,” Akiiki added.

“Any warrior still hiding weapons anticipating resuming criminality when UPDF leaves, is just living in self-deception. All those who killed Ogola will be brought to book,” he said.