Kotido CAO ambushed by armed rustlers in Karamoja

KOTIDO, UGANDA: Kotido District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mr. Joseph Lomongin survived death on Friday afternoon after his car was ambushed by suspected armed rustlers in Uganda’s restive Karamoja Sub-region.

Mr. Lomongin and his driver were attacked by the armed rustlers at around 2pm, a few meters away from the military barracks along the Kotido-Moroto Highway.

Kotido District Police Commander Moses Akena confirmed the attack and said police and the army have already launched a manhunt to arrest the attackers.

“Joint security forces are already following the attackers whose motive is not yet known. We are glad that the CAO never sustained any injuries. Even his driver escaped with no injuries but the culprits will be brought to book,” Akena said.

Mr. Lomongin who escaped unhurt from the attack wondered how brave the attackers were to launch a raid on his car just next to the army barracks.

“Imagine it is not even at night, but daytime when people are still in their gardens and moreover near the 405 army brigade,” he wondered before describing how the suspected criminals jumped onto the road and started firing at their car.
“I was traveling from Kotido to Moroto District when I was shot by armed rustlers but the bullets never got me or the driver,” he said.

According to reports, more than 50 civilian lives have been lost in the attacks, and hundreds of animals stolen in brutal raids over the past one year.