Loram Joseph, the Moruita Local Council Three (LC3) Chairperson, in Nakapiripirit district has been shot dead by suspected cattle rustlers.
Mike Lobgole, the acting Mt Moroto police spokesperson, said Loram’s murder happened yesterday at night at Nakamuriai village, Moruita Subcounty, Nakapiripirit district in the conflict trodden region of Karamoja in the Northeast of Uganda.
Loram, who was in his early 40s met his death while following up blood stains of an injured cattle rustler.
“Loram Joseph was called at night by his village mates to follow the blood stains of an injured cattle rustler whom they had shot using bow and arrow while attempting to raid the livestock of Ngurai Daniel in their village. After tracing blood stain for about one kilometer they landed in an ambush laid by cattle rustlers who shot at them killing Loram Joseph instantly,” Longole said.
Police visited the scene where it collected nine cartridges and also picked Loram’s body. Longole said the injured cattle rustler also succumbed to the injuries perhaps as a result of over bleeding without medical attention.
“The body of the injured cattle rustler was recovered in the bushes of Kakomongole subcounty and it was identified by residents as for Owalinga Lobongole resident of Lokwameri village, Nabilatuk town council, Nabilatuk District,” Longole said.
Police took Loram’s body to Amudat Hospital for postmortem while the remains of Owalinga Lobongole is lying in the morgue of Nakapiripirit Health Centre III pending collection by the relatives.
“As security forces we warn the general community and their leaders to desist from following cattle rustlers or tracking stolen animals but rather to inform security timely of any ocurrance of raids in their areas for assistance,” Longole said.
Karamoja subregion in which Nakapiripirit district falls has been insecure since 2020 where a number of civilians have been killed by cattle rustlers.
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni ordered forces to use fire to get guns from cattle rustlers. More than 600 suspected cattle rustlers have been shot dead by police and military forces since July 13, 2021.