UPDF shoots dead two civilians mistaken for Karimojong warriors
Two men from Kitgum district, northern Uganda, were shot and killed by Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers after being mistaken for Karimojong cattle raiders.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night at a community kraal in Namukora sub-county. The victims were identified as Joseph Obutu, 50, and Richard Opira, 42. According to Capt. Edrin Mawanda, UPDF 5th Division public relations officer, the soldiers were protecting a community kraal at the Kitleng detachment when the two men were sighted with two oxen at around 11 p.m.
The soldiers believed they were Karimojong warriors attempting to raid cattle.
“The soldiers suspected the victims to be Karimojong warriors attempting to drive away two cultivating bulls… However, this suspicion was later found to be mistaken,” Mawanda stated.
Jimmy Ssegawa Ebil, Kitgum resident district commissioner (RDC), confirmed that the men were reportedly drunk and had lost their way, moving during curfew hours. The kraal has been a target of cattle raids in the past, including an incident last year where 16 cattle were stolen before being recovered.
Ebil also noted that security forces were on high alert after Karimojong raiders attempted a raid in a neighbouring sub-county just the night before. This heightened tension led the soldiers to believe the two men were part of the raiding group.
Mawanda conveyed the UPDF’s regret over the accidental killings and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He added that the UPDF leadership is in close contact with the families to support burial arrangements.
The army has appealed to the community to cooperate with security personnel by adhering to existing bylaws and avoiding restricted areas during curfew hours to prevent similar tragic incidents.
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