Tension is high in Orom, Kiteny, and Orom East sub-counties in Kitgum district following the incursion of suspected Karimajong rustlers raiders who brutally killed a resident and raided over 24 head of cattle over the weekend.
The Orom Sub County LC III Chairperson, Johnson Acellam Odera, says that suspected Karimajong warriors raided Rukuk village, Loliya parish on Saturday night.
They waylaid Charles Oloya, one of the residents, and killed him brutally.
According to Odera, the deceased was returning home at around 8:00 pm when the attackers waylaid and strangled him before beheading his body.
He says that warriors abandoned the deceased’s body some 50 meters from the roadside.
According to Odera, after the attack, the suspected Karimajong warriors believed to be four in number proceeded towards Lagwok-Omer village in Karkalet parish where they made off with seven head of cattle belonging to the area LCI Chairperson.
He says they reported the matter to the UPDF 77th Battalion detachments but their response was not timely, which allowed the rustlers time to escape with the animals towards Kotido district.
Johnson Odera, says on Sunday evening at least 21 Karimajong warriors were spotted by residents descending Torere Hills and proceeded towards Karakalet parish where they reportedly raided 12 head of cattle.
According to Odera, a gunfire exchange reportedly between the army and the warriors was heard on Monday morning at the foothills of Torere Hills although his office has not recieved any reports of animal recovery.
The Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, Jimmy Ebil Ssegawa regrets the incident, saying the army managed to pursue the rustlers who raided animals from Karekalet parish and recovered all the animals.
Ebil called on the local populace to always provide information to authorities and security immediately after such incidences such that the bandits are pursued and brought to justice.