A New Vision reader claiming to be a UPDF soldier based at the division headquarters, Moroto wrote to the paper complaining that the Government had concealed the death of his other colleagues. The reader blamed the Government for demanding compensation for only two soldiers.
New Vision (Kampala)
February 18, 2003
Posted to the web February 18, 2003
Nathan Etengu
Kampala
THE commanding officer of the UPDF Third Division, Col. Sula Ssemakula, has maintained that the ethnic Uganda/Kenya Pokot killed only two UPDF soldiers and 17 LDUs during a recent clash at Kariita, Nakapiripirit district.
He said he had no reason to lie about the death of any member of the UPDF under his command since the army was answerable to the public.
"I maintain the statement I made about the death of the LDUs and two UPDF soldiers. Unless someone has reasons to claim otherwise, I do not wish to lie about the problem that affects any of my forces," Ssemakula said.
He was reacting to allegations that the UPDF lost 18 soldiers including two officers when they fell in an ambush by the Pokot.
The victims were reportedly pursuing a group of Uganda/Kenya Pokot warriors who had killed 10 people and raided over 400 head of cattle from Omorimor parish near Namalu trading centre on January 6.
A New Vision reader claiming to be a UPDF soldier based at the division headquarters, Moroto wrote to the paper complaining that the Government had concealed the death of his other colleagues. The reader blamed the Government for demanding compensation for only two soldiers. Ends
