MOROTO, UGANDA: A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier in the Karamoja subregion has been shot dead by unknown gunmen while on duty at Katanga Village, Moroto Municipality.
The deceased identified as Private Gabriel Lokiru – attached to the guard battalion under the 3rd division command was gunned down at around 10 pm on Friday, according to a statement from the joint force of the police and army in the region.
According to the UPDF 3rd division spokesperson, Major Isaac Oware, Lokiru had been deployed to carry out intelligence surveillance in the area when he was attacked by suspected armed warriors.
“These warriors shot our officer and they ran away but we are following them,” Maj Oware said.
The shooting is the latest of many such attacks that have frustrated efforts to pacify the sub-region.
Security sources report that an average of two people are killed daily by suspected armed Karimojong cattle rustlers across the sub-region.
On February 15, 2022, two cattle traders were shot and injured by suspected cattle rustlers along Kotido-Kaabong road. The traders had travelled to Kaabong to buy animals.
On February 17, 2022, a businessman was shot dead by armed cattle rustlers in Kotido District.
On February 20, 2022, a parish councilor in Amudat town council was shot dead by suspected armed rustlers in Moruita Sub County in Nakapiripirit District.
Mr Patrick Koryang, one of the residents said the insecurity in the sub-region has frustrated many government projects.
Karamoja sub-region has in the past several years been in the news due to the increasing insecurity. Although the UPDF stepped in to pacify the sub-region, civil society activists are concerned about the proliferation of arms in the region which have derailed the peace efforts.
Additional Reporting by Steven Ariong/DM
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