Last night at about 3:00am a fire fight ensured between UPDF 13 Batallion troops and warriors from Tepeth ethnic group in upper Mathenic Tapac sub county in Kodonyo viollage Moroto district as UPDF carried out a cordon and search operation to recover a gun prior stolen from an LDU in Nakapiripirit and the 6 heads of cattle stolen by the same group.
As the group sensed police and UPDF joint operation into their area by deploying their local dogs which in turn reported the presence of the force, firing at troops started by about six warriors who were together with other civilians in huts.
In the exchange of fire a woman identified as Najagai Murokol was injured on the leg while a 5 year child Nacap Nangiro on the arm. These were later evacuated by UPDF to Moroto barracks health centre for first Aid and latar to Moroto referral hospital for proper treatment.
Some culprits were arrested and 36 heads of cattle impounded waiting for proper identification and handing over to rightful owners.
This is one of the few incidences that have only remained synonymous to the Tepeth community who stay on the tip and slopes of mountain Moroto. This group should stay warned that UPDF will continue disarmament and carrying out preventive and abrupt strikes to recover any illegal gun within their hands. Other tribes have been lagely disarmed but a few of the Tepeth community members have always used the terrain advantage to hide some guns in the mountains. UPDF is an agile force that can operate in any environment and thus the Tepeth local leaders and elders should advise their members to hand in the remaining few guns and desist from provoking other tribes by stealing their animals. Otherwise such operations will continue and we give a final blow to lawlessness in Karamoja.
By Capain Deo Akiiki UPDF 3rd Division PRO