Karimojong rustlers kill UPDF soldiers
Jun 27, 2010
TWO UPDF soldiers were shot dead yesterday by suspected Karimojong cattle rustlers in Abim district. Privates Juma Omara and James Mawadri were attacked by an unknown number of warriors who fled soon after the incident.
By David Labeja
TWO UPDF soldiers were shot dead yesterday by suspected Karimojong cattle rustlers in Abim district. Privates Juma Omara and James Mawadri were attacked by an unknown number of warriors who fled soon after the incident.
According to the district chairman, Noman Ochero, the warriors were moving from Bokora in Moroto district through Abim to Dodoth in Kaabong district.
The UPDF 5th Division spokesman, Captain Deo Akiiki, said the army was pursuing the attackers. “The two were shot dead around midnight at Angorom between Alerek sub-county and Abim town council.â€
He added that the deceased were part of a group from the Okililing military base who were going to Abim trading centre to charge the batteries of their walkie-talkies. The third soldier, private Unzi Charles, was admitted at Abim Hospital with serious injuries.
Akiiki, however, said the incidence did not undermine the continuing operation to disarm the lawless Karimojong warriors.
“We suspect the attack was not planned, because Abim as a region has generally been calm,†he explained.
But according to Ochero, the number of cattle thefts by Karimojong warriors was rising.
“Karimojong warriors continue to stealthily enter the villages after evading the army and they take animals,†Ochero said.
He added that the warriors were taking advantage of the tall grass to sneak into the district.
Abim, formerly under Kotido district, has suffered more raids due to its proximity to Karamoja. Although located in the Karamoja northeastern sub-region, the Itur, also known as Jo Abwor, are more related to the Acholi, with whom they share a similar dialect.
On Friday, while presiding over the graduation of Police officers for the Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Kotido, President Yoweri Museveni vowed to end lawlessness in the Karamoja sub-region, an area which he said had been retarded in development due to the high number of illegal guns.
TWO UPDF soldiers were shot dead yesterday by suspected Karimojong cattle rustlers in Abim district. Privates Juma Omara and James Mawadri were attacked by an unknown number of warriors who fled soon after the incident.
According to the district chairman, Noman Ochero, the warriors were moving from Bokora in Moroto district through Abim to Dodoth in Kaabong district.
The UPDF 5th Division spokesman, Captain Deo Akiiki, said the army was pursuing the attackers. “The two were shot dead around midnight at Angorom between Alerek sub-county and Abim town council.â€
He added that the deceased were part of a group from the Okililing military base who were going to Abim trading centre to charge the batteries of their walkie-talkies. The third soldier, private Unzi Charles, was admitted at Abim Hospital with serious injuries.
Akiiki, however, said the incidence did not undermine the continuing operation to disarm the lawless Karimojong warriors.
“We suspect the attack was not planned, because Abim as a region has generally been calm,†he explained.
But according to Ochero, the number of cattle thefts by Karimojong warriors was rising.
“Karimojong warriors continue to stealthily enter the villages after evading the army and they take animals,†Ochero said.
He added that the warriors were taking advantage of the tall grass to sneak into the district.
Abim, formerly under Kotido district, has suffered more raids due to its proximity to Karamoja. Although located in the Karamoja northeastern sub-region, the Itur, also known as Jo Abwor, are more related to the Acholi, with whom they share a similar dialect.
On Friday, while presiding over the graduation of Police officers for the Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Kotido, President Yoweri Museveni vowed to end lawlessness in the Karamoja sub-region, an area which he said had been retarded in development due to the high number of illegal guns.