Father-in-law killed at wedding
Apr 21, 2010
SUSPECTED cattle rustlers on Sunday shot dead two people at a wedding ceremony, one of them the father-in-law, injuring seven others among them the bride.
By Olandason Wanyama
SUSPECTED cattle rustlers on Sunday shot dead two people at a wedding ceremony, one of them the father-in-law, injuring seven others among them the bride.
The injured were admitted to Matany Hospital in critical condition.
The gruesome attack took place at Nachukae village in Lotirir parish, Nadunget sub-county in Moroto district at about 1:00am.
The LC2 chairman, Peter Erobobo, said the residents were preparing for a marriage when the suspected Pokot raiders forced their way into the compound.
He said the family of the bride and that of the bridegroom had finalised the negotiation on the brideprice and the bride was to be given away the following morning.
He said the raiders were attracted by the sound of a bell, which is often strapped on the necks of animals to locate them in the grazing lands. The residents had turned the bell into a musical instrument at the party.
“There was dancing and drinking and the residents were using a herder’s bell to enrich the music,†he said.
The gunmen, Erobobo said, assumed that cattle was being kept in the compound and demanded the animals.
The residents instead directed them to the neighbouring Loodoi village, where the army detachment is located, and where the animals designated for the in-laws had been taken for protection.
As the gunmen walked to the village, they were intercepted by the UPDF foot patrol.
“An exchange of fire ensued, which forced the raiders to retreat,†Arobobo said.
Frustrated, the gunmen fled back to the venue of the wedding and sprayed the revellers with bullets.
Erobobo described the situation as gruesome. He said some people rolled in pools of blood to appear to be dead so as to avoid being shot. They were only saved by the army which arrived shortly afterwards.
Speaking from her hospital bed in Matany, a survivor, Maria Abura, said the gunmen attacked them at the peak of their celebrations.
“They demanded the cattle but we had taken them to the UPDF detachment for protection,†she narrated.
Abura said the thugs surrounded the two settlements before shooting at the party.
“When I tried to run into my hut, a bullet hit me in the anus, rupturing my private parts,†she said.
Abura said a gunman, who appeared to be the leader of the raiders, tried to restrain his men, but in vain.
A regional Police commander, Okot Obwona, described the incident as alarming and the first of its kind this year.
“We are troubled with this incident. This was a very bad act which should not be repeated.â€
He identified the dead as Anna Looki, a relative to the family, and Amen Lomerinyang, the father of the bride.
He identified the victims now admitted to hospital as Lomenyan Lomerichori, Maria Abura, Naomi Apalia, and Peter Odongor, the parents of the bridegroom.
Others are Lorom Lomilo, Locii and Amunyang Nakoria.
He said the bride escaped with a bullet wound on the left hand and was recovering in hospital. Obwona said the Police would get the culprits and prosecute them.
Karimojong raiders have for a long time attacked their neighbours in Teso and Lango region, stealing cattle, destroying crops and killing residents.
The Government has launched a disarmament programme in Karamoja, which, it says, is intended to reduce the insecurity and help the region develop.
SUSPECTED cattle rustlers on Sunday shot dead two people at a wedding ceremony, one of them the father-in-law, injuring seven others among them the bride.
The injured were admitted to Matany Hospital in critical condition.
The gruesome attack took place at Nachukae village in Lotirir parish, Nadunget sub-county in Moroto district at about 1:00am.
The LC2 chairman, Peter Erobobo, said the residents were preparing for a marriage when the suspected Pokot raiders forced their way into the compound.
He said the family of the bride and that of the bridegroom had finalised the negotiation on the brideprice and the bride was to be given away the following morning.
He said the raiders were attracted by the sound of a bell, which is often strapped on the necks of animals to locate them in the grazing lands. The residents had turned the bell into a musical instrument at the party.
“There was dancing and drinking and the residents were using a herder’s bell to enrich the music,†he said.
The gunmen, Erobobo said, assumed that cattle was being kept in the compound and demanded the animals.
The residents instead directed them to the neighbouring Loodoi village, where the army detachment is located, and where the animals designated for the in-laws had been taken for protection.
As the gunmen walked to the village, they were intercepted by the UPDF foot patrol.
“An exchange of fire ensued, which forced the raiders to retreat,†Arobobo said.
Frustrated, the gunmen fled back to the venue of the wedding and sprayed the revellers with bullets.
Erobobo described the situation as gruesome. He said some people rolled in pools of blood to appear to be dead so as to avoid being shot. They were only saved by the army which arrived shortly afterwards.
Speaking from her hospital bed in Matany, a survivor, Maria Abura, said the gunmen attacked them at the peak of their celebrations.
“They demanded the cattle but we had taken them to the UPDF detachment for protection,†she narrated.
Abura said the thugs surrounded the two settlements before shooting at the party.
“When I tried to run into my hut, a bullet hit me in the anus, rupturing my private parts,†she said.
Abura said a gunman, who appeared to be the leader of the raiders, tried to restrain his men, but in vain.
A regional Police commander, Okot Obwona, described the incident as alarming and the first of its kind this year.
“We are troubled with this incident. This was a very bad act which should not be repeated.â€
He identified the dead as Anna Looki, a relative to the family, and Amen Lomerinyang, the father of the bride.
He identified the victims now admitted to hospital as Lomenyan Lomerichori, Maria Abura, Naomi Apalia, and Peter Odongor, the parents of the bridegroom.
Others are Lorom Lomilo, Locii and Amunyang Nakoria.
He said the bride escaped with a bullet wound on the left hand and was recovering in hospital. Obwona said the Police would get the culprits and prosecute them.
Karimojong raiders have for a long time attacked their neighbours in Teso and Lango region, stealing cattle, destroying crops and killing residents.
The Government has launched a disarmament programme in Karamoja, which, it says, is intended to reduce the insecurity and help the region develop.