LAMWO, UGANDA: The joint security agencies in Lamwo district have shot and killed one person as the operation against armed cattle rustlers from South Sudan intensifies.
The deceased has been identified as Robinson Owot, 24, an Acholi resident of Lucimidik Village, Lawiye Oduny Parish, Madiopei sub-county Lamwo district.
According to Mr. David Ongom Mudong who is the Aswa regional police spokesperson, “It is alleged that on Wednesday, 29 June, the UPDF detach at Banabana obtained intelligence that a group of South Sudanese armed Dinka warriors planned to cross over to Madiopei with intentions to raid cattle which prompted UPDF soldiers from Banabana detach in Madiopei sub-county to deploy along the suspected routes of entry and exit of the cattle rustlers.”
Mudong explains that in the operation, “a one Robinson Owot who was coming from South Sudan at around 10 pm heading towards Madiopei via Madiopei Hills shortcut, allegedly crossed into the UPDF arc of fire ambush and when he was asked to identify himself in the darkness, he started running and he was shot dead.”
According to him, police detectives visited the scene of crime on Thursday for documentation and the body of the deceased was transferred from the bush to Madiopei HCIII for postmortem
He adds that police also recorded statements from LCI of Lucimidik Village and relevant witnesses to aid in the investigation, although no arrest has yet been made as more inquiries are being conducted.
“No arrests have so far been made but inquiries are underway into groups of armed South Sudanese cattle rustlers,” he said.
Security has continuously cautioned members of the public to avoid going into areas where there are ongoing security operations against armed rustlers in order to reduce the risk of becoming collateral damage.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
