Army probes civilian death during gunfire exchange with warriors

The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, said they had set a board of inquiry to establish circumstances surrounding the loss of life and conduct further investigation on the following exchange of gunfire between the army and warriors.

Major Isaac Oware, the Spokesperson of the Third Division said the unfortunate incident happened on January 15, 2024, at around 11:00pm after a victim was shot by a fighting patrol in a brief exchange of fire along River Okilim in Ayole village Korite Parish, Girik sub-county, Kween District. 

He noted that the area where the gun exchange took place was a corridor which lies within Pian Upe Game Reserve.

“The joint security forces in Amudat district reported an incident where a male adult by the name of Lokipurat Amadanyang, 40 years and resident of Lokai village, Arukanes Parish, Lokalesi sub-county in Amudat district succumbed to gunshot wounds,” he said.

He said the scene of crime was visited and documented by a team of investigators as the body was taken away pending post-mortem and 03 shepherds who were with the deceased. No arrests made yet.

“It's noted that the scene of crime Ayole village/corridor is a fertile area which lies within Pian Upe Game Reserve, targeted by pastoral communities who on several occasions are pushed back to avoid destruction of crops and altercations with cultivators. The area also faces contestation between two communities of Sabiny and Pokot, characterised by untold suffering and loss of innocent lives,” Maj. Oware said.

He gave an example of a case which happened on May 16, 2023, where, a one Francis Mutai, a resident of Korite Parish, Girik sub-county, Kween District was killed by suspected Pokot herdsmen.

“We wish to caution communities against grazing, cultivation and poaching in gazetted areas,” Oware stated.