By Nathan Etengu
and Kenneth Otim
Nine ethnic Bokora Karimojong warriors were on Monday killed and six guns recovered by the UPDF during an operation in Iriiri, Moroto district.
The UPDF also captured two Bokora Local defence unit personnel who were fighting alongside the warriors.
The UPDF 3rd division commander, Col. Sula Ssemakula, said the army lost one soldier.
He said they were still tracking down the warriors who carried out two separate raids in Katakwi district recently.
“The pursuit is still going on and if it necessitates wiping out this stubborn lot to recover the stolen cows, we shall do it,” Ssemakula said.
“But our ultimate aim is to recover the cows and arrest the raiders,” he added.
He said he would order the warriors to surrender the guns used in the raids.
He said several homes were burnt in Iriiri during the battle with the raiders.
Armed rustlers recently crossed into Katakwi district and stole over 200 head of cattle and 70 goats from the Internally Displaced Camps at Aguriguri and Aakum.
“We tracked the cattle and found out that the raiders had taken them to Bokora,” Ssemakula said.
The UPDF 405 brigade commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Kiyingi, said they had to temporarily close the road to Moroto.
“I had to block vehicles to and from Moroto to avoid a situation where they could be caught up in a crossfire,” Kiyingi said.
Ends