By Stanley Ebele
The people and leaders of Kotido district have joined the Uganda’s security fraternity in mourning the former 405 Brigade commander, Col. David Byaruhanga.
His demise was on Friday confirmed by the 3rd Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuma.
Brig. Sserunkuma, said the deceased died on Friday morning from Nakasero Hospital where he was rushed after sustaining severe injuries in an ambush laid by the suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
He explained that the late Col. Byaruhanga sustained multiple severe injuries on the chest, head and the limbs.
Brig. Gen Sserunkuma, described the demise of Col. Byaruhanga as a big lose to Uganda Defense People’s Force (UPDF) and the country at large.
“Uganda has lost a dedicated and hardworking intelligence officer who played a critical role in safeguarding Uganda’s security”, said in a phone interview with Etoil A Karamoja.
Col. Byaruhanga, locally known as Apalobokoli in Kotido served in Karamoja for several years in different capacities with the latest being December 2024 when he was 405-brigade commander.
He was transferred to Gulu, Arua and then most recently he was on a peace mission in DR Congo where his team, is said to have entered in in an ambush set by the ADF rebels.
The news about his death has not only shocked the UPDF but also the people and the leaders of Karamoja sub-region.
Paul Lote Komol, the Kotido District LCV Chairperson descried the Col. Byaruhanga death as “shocking and devastating.”
He said Col. Byaruhanga played a critical role in regional security and stability the people of Karamoja are enjoying.
“Col. Byaruhanga was a distinguished refined hardworking army officer, who was seen as an ambassador of peace in Karamoja and he also build a strong relationship with the leadership and local communities” Lokomol reminisced.
Rose Mary Igira a social worker and a peace advocate in Kotido said she remembers the fallen soldier as a committed peace maker.
The Coordinator Justice and Peace Kotido Catholic Diocese Nico locally known as Lokwateba, said Col. Byaruhanga changed the UPDF strategy from forceful disarmament to voluntary which led to the current peace in Karamoja.
Stella Amojong of Kotido Central Division also paid tribute to the commander describing him as down to earth UPDF officer who loved peace.
Meanwhile, the UPDF Acting Spokesman, Col. Chris Magezi said on his X- handle, formerly twitter that the Ugandan Army Killed 242 of the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO) militias in a two-day battle at Fataki, Eastern DRC.
Without divulging much regarding the death of Col. Byaruhanga, Col. Magezi says that the CODECO militia attempted to dislodge the UPDF from its base when the fire exchange happened.
He said that the militias attacked the UPDF blocking force on Wednesday and Thursday in early morning raids but were repulsed on each occasion with the group sustaining heavy casualties in the process.
He added that the UPDF suffered one fatality, while 4 other soldiers were injured over the course of the attacks.
The UPDF deployed in DR Congo a few weeks ago to prevent fleeing ADF remnants from infiltrating the area while escaping mounting pressure from the joint forces of UPDF and FARDC under Operation Shujaa.
