K’jong Kill 8 Soldiers

KAMPALA – The Ugandan army admitted yesterday that tribal herders it is trying to disarm in the northeastern Karamoja region had killed eight government soldiers and wounded four since May 7. The area’s army commander, Colonel Sula Ssemakula, told AFP by telephone that the eight had been killed in a string of surprise attacks by local Karimojong warriors who had concealed their guns in their loose traditional clothing. “We have lost about eight soldiers, and about four have been injured in a number of attacks,” said Ssemakula. The commander has since barred the Karimojong from wearing their traditional garb, ordering them to wear shirts and trousers. The Government sent troops to the Karamoja region last December to disarm local tribes in a bid to stop violent cattle rustling. On Monday, army spokesman Shaban Bantariza said troops had killed 13 tribal warriors who resisted the forcible seizure of their guns. The Roman Catholic Church in Karamoja has charged that between 4,000 and 5,000 residents have been displaced after their homes were torched by government troops.Meanwhile, Nathan Etengu reports that the Jie Karimojong, who fled the UPDF in Panyangara sub-county, Kotido district, have entered Kenya.“Some of them have already entered Kenya, where they have a safe haven,” Ssemakula said.Ends