One Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF soldier and two cattle rustlers have been killed following a fierce clash between cattle rustlers and the army on Sunday in Kotido district.
The trio died in a clash which took place in Namayiri village in Kotido district, involving the army and Jie cattle rustlers. According to Lokamar Icumar a resident of Panyangara town council in Kotido district, there was a heavy gun sound for almost one and half hours.
Another resident of Napumpum village says that the only way to end cattle rustling in Karamoja is using force. However, they are worried that if the current fighting and killings continue in Karamoja, the general population of Karimojong will reduce.
Brig Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd Division commander confirmed the incident, saying that Jie cattle rustlers landed on UPDF soldiers who were carrying out military activities in the area.
He challenged the leaders in the region to rally the locals to abandon cattle rustling and hand over their guns to the government. Brig. Balikudembe says that he gets hurt when young people are active in raiding animals and killing innocent people.