Pokot warriors injure one UPDF soldier
May 31, 2009
UGANDA has demanded the arrest of Pokot warriors who fled into Kenya after shooting at the UPDF soldiers. The warriors, with about 800 head of cattle, engaged the UPDF patrol squad at Achorchor sub-county in Nakapiripirit district, about 50km inside Ugan
By Reuben Olita
and Henry Mukasa
UGANDA has demanded the arrest of Pokot warriors who fled into Kenya after shooting at the UPDF soldiers.
The warriors, with about 800 head of cattle, engaged the UPDF patrol squad at Achorchor sub-county in Nakapiripirit district, about 50km inside Uganda, injuring one soldiers.
The 3rd Battalion commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho, yesterday said the UPDF liaison officer on cross-border cattle raids and his Kenyan counterpart were handling the matter.
He dismissed reports in Sunday Nation, a Kenyan newspaper, that four soldiers were killed during the fire exchange.
“They met my soldiers at a corner called Achorchor and shot at them, prompting an exchange. We pursued them and they crossed into Kenya. We could not go beyond there,†Kankiriho explained.
“We are requesting Kenyan authorities to apprehend them.â€
He added: “We are encouraging people in both countries to live together because we are part of the East Africa Community, but disarmament is the only solution to inter-tribal raids.â€
The division spokesperson, Capt. Henry Obbo, said the injured soldier was receiving treatment at Lubongi Military Hospital in Tororo.
Obbo explained that the ring leaders of the warriors had abandoned the cattle with the children and the elderly.
“There was no death on either side. They have no capacity to engage the army,†Obbo said.
Meanwhile, the Pokot North district commissioner, in Kenya, Joseph Motari, said yesterday he had received information from his Nakapiripirit counterpart, John Napaja, over the incident.
Motari said the herdsmen had crossed into Uganda in search of water and pasture, following severe drought in teh district.
He explained that the warriors shot at the UPDF to escape arrest when the soldiers, who were on patrol, tried to stop them.
Like the Sunday Nation, Motari said the worriers had made off with two guns of the soldiers they are alleged to have killed.
He said the Kenyan Police had deployed at the border to arrest the suspects.
“We are appealing to the community to cooperate with the Police by volunteering information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects,†Motari said.
and Henry Mukasa
UGANDA has demanded the arrest of Pokot warriors who fled into Kenya after shooting at the UPDF soldiers.
The warriors, with about 800 head of cattle, engaged the UPDF patrol squad at Achorchor sub-county in Nakapiripirit district, about 50km inside Uganda, injuring one soldiers.
The 3rd Battalion commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho, yesterday said the UPDF liaison officer on cross-border cattle raids and his Kenyan counterpart were handling the matter.
He dismissed reports in Sunday Nation, a Kenyan newspaper, that four soldiers were killed during the fire exchange.
“They met my soldiers at a corner called Achorchor and shot at them, prompting an exchange. We pursued them and they crossed into Kenya. We could not go beyond there,†Kankiriho explained.
“We are requesting Kenyan authorities to apprehend them.â€
He added: “We are encouraging people in both countries to live together because we are part of the East Africa Community, but disarmament is the only solution to inter-tribal raids.â€
The division spokesperson, Capt. Henry Obbo, said the injured soldier was receiving treatment at Lubongi Military Hospital in Tororo.
Obbo explained that the ring leaders of the warriors had abandoned the cattle with the children and the elderly.
“There was no death on either side. They have no capacity to engage the army,†Obbo said.
Meanwhile, the Pokot North district commissioner, in Kenya, Joseph Motari, said yesterday he had received information from his Nakapiripirit counterpart, John Napaja, over the incident.
Motari said the herdsmen had crossed into Uganda in search of water and pasture, following severe drought in teh district.
He explained that the warriors shot at the UPDF to escape arrest when the soldiers, who were on patrol, tried to stop them.
Like the Sunday Nation, Motari said the worriers had made off with two guns of the soldiers they are alleged to have killed.
He said the Kenyan Police had deployed at the border to arrest the suspects.
“We are appealing to the community to cooperate with the Police by volunteering information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects,†Motari said.