By Alexander Mackey Okori
Two people have critically been injured after a group of 19 Karamojong assailants armed with three guns raided local shop in Lochom trading centre in Kasimir parish, Sidok sub-county in Kaabong District on Sunday.
The incident happened at around 10:22 PM, when the attackers suspected to be the Dodoth stormed the trading centre, assaulting shop operators and looting property.
During the attack, Paul Lokwawui, a shop operator aged 29-year-old, was shot in the stomach, while his 25-year-old brother Simon Akol was severely beaten by the assailants.
The victims were rushed to Kaabong Main Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Silvesto Locham Kubali, the LCIII Chairperson of Sidoko sub-county said that the unknown gunmen who were speaking Ngakarimojong called the victims by their names before attacking them.
He added that the gunmen looted Shs1.2 million from Lokwawuli’s shop, while Akol was robbed off Shs700,000, and property worth an unspecified amount of cash Akol.
Locham Kubali, said they are currently experiencing a resurgence of insecurity, with attacks orchestrated by the suspected Dodoth armed men and the Turukana from the neighbouring Kenya.
“The attackers mainly target the business community mainly business community, which has caused fear among the local population” said Locham.
According to Locham, the suspected armed Turukana from Kenya raided 197 goats and sheep from Locherep parish in Sidok Sub-Couty.
“The combined security forces of UPDF and ASTU followed the footmarks up to Loyoro East, which is at the border between Kaabong and Kenya. Unfortunately, the raided goats and sheep were not recovered”, stated Locham.
In a bid to contain the growing wave of insecurity before it gets out of hand, Locham is calling on security agencies to beef up deployment in areas of Lochom and Lokopos and heighten their night patrols.
Markson Lokwang Lobwo, the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) told this publication that there are a few individuals in the community who were not disarmed, while others are secretly rearming themselves.
He is concerned that the few remaining guns in the hands of the wrong elements may be used to destabilize people during this heated political season.
ASP Kalisto Narucha, the Kidepo Regional Community Liasson Officer said the police alongside the UPDF introduced a canine dog to the scene but lost track since the scene was already tempered.
He added that police manage to recover cartilages from the scene and the investigations into the tragic incident are underway.
Narusha, who condemned the acts of aggravated robberies and killings of civilians by the armed Karamojong men, urged the people of Sidok Sub-county to remain calm and cooperate with all the security components with relevant information that can be important to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and brought to book.
Although, Karamoja Sub-regionis recovering from insecurity which has plagued the region for decades there are still pockets of insecurity in North Karamoja, especially the districts of Kotido and Kaabong.
The two districts remain the epicenter of insecurity as the armed warriors continue to terrorize the population, particularly the business community despite various interventions aimed at restoring peace.
