27 guns seized from warriors
Feb 15, 2007
THE UPDF have recovered 27 guns from the bodies of Karimojong warriors who were killed during clashes with the Government troops in Kotido district.
By Nathan Etengu
THE UPDF have recovered 27 guns from the bodies of Karimojong warriors who were killed during clashes with the Government troops in Kotido district.
A total of 52 warriors and four soldiers died in the battles between the army and the heavily-armed warriors, who had staged three ambushes on the Kotido-Abim road on Tuesday.
The army yesterday said the civilian death toll had risen to six after the warriors shot dead a tutor of Kotido Primary Teacher’s College.
Julius Okurut was gunned down at his residence on Tuesday night by retreating armed rustlers who had earlier killed five people in a road ambush.
The commanding officer of the UPDF 3rd Division, Col. Patrick Kankiriho, said the army was still searching the battle grounds.
“We expect to recover more guns after a full search in the area.â€
He revealed that the warriors had for long planned to attack the army.
“The fact that some of the warriors hid among the cows as they fought the soldiers is enough evidence. That is how they killed my soldiers.â€
Kankiriho believes that the warriors fled to Lolelia and Kacheri, northwest of Kotido town.
He explained that some of the Karimojong local leaders had approached him for talks.
“I have told them that we can only meet after they have surrendered their guns. Those Karachunas (young fighters) who have fled to areas they think are safe havens shall be got,†Kankiriho charged.
By press time, the army had blocked all the routes used by the Kenyan Jie warriors to cross to Uganda.
The UPDF 3rd Division publicist, Lt. Henry Obbo, said relative calm had returned to the area after the warriors fled in disarray.
Obbo, however, dismissed reports that the army used the air force during the battles. “The chopper is for surveillance. When they see it in the skies and hear a machine gun, they say it is the gunship. This is not true,†he stressed.
THE UPDF have recovered 27 guns from the bodies of Karimojong warriors who were killed during clashes with the Government troops in Kotido district.
A total of 52 warriors and four soldiers died in the battles between the army and the heavily-armed warriors, who had staged three ambushes on the Kotido-Abim road on Tuesday.
The army yesterday said the civilian death toll had risen to six after the warriors shot dead a tutor of Kotido Primary Teacher’s College.
Julius Okurut was gunned down at his residence on Tuesday night by retreating armed rustlers who had earlier killed five people in a road ambush.
The commanding officer of the UPDF 3rd Division, Col. Patrick Kankiriho, said the army was still searching the battle grounds.
“We expect to recover more guns after a full search in the area.â€
He revealed that the warriors had for long planned to attack the army.
“The fact that some of the warriors hid among the cows as they fought the soldiers is enough evidence. That is how they killed my soldiers.â€
Kankiriho believes that the warriors fled to Lolelia and Kacheri, northwest of Kotido town.
He explained that some of the Karimojong local leaders had approached him for talks.
“I have told them that we can only meet after they have surrendered their guns. Those Karachunas (young fighters) who have fled to areas they think are safe havens shall be got,†Kankiriho charged.
By press time, the army had blocked all the routes used by the Kenyan Jie warriors to cross to Uganda.
The UPDF 3rd Division publicist, Lt. Henry Obbo, said relative calm had returned to the area after the warriors fled in disarray.
Obbo, however, dismissed reports that the army used the air force during the battles. “The chopper is for surveillance. When they see it in the skies and hear a machine gun, they say it is the gunship. This is not true,†he stressed.