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New Vision (Kampala)
November 1, 2003
Posted to the web November 3, 2003
Geoffrey Kamali
Kampala
HEAVILY armed Karimojong warriors of the Dodoth ethnic group on Thursday attacked and killed about 50 LDUs and UPDF soldiers in a fierce fight at Kaloto, about 15kms west of Kabong, Kotido district.
It was not clear how many of the dead were soldiers.
Security sources said the warriors also grabbed several guns, among them Rocket Propelled Guns (RPGs) and AK47 rifles from the soldiers.
Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza yesterday said they were investigating whether there was connivance between the LDUs and the warriors.
Among those feared dead was an army captain only identified as Lawrence and 2nd Lt. Opika Akim. Most of the dead are said to be LDUs.
Bantariza said all the returnees were arrested for questioning. He said he was waiting for a full report on the attack.
"About 20 of them have already returned but without their guns or injuries. We are investigating whether some of the LDUs connived with their fellow Karimojong," he said.
Sources said the deceased were part of a group of 74 LDUs and soldiers who had been dispatched to Kaloto to arrest 20 others who had deserted the army with guns.
After the battle, the warriors reportedly took over the guns as other soldiers scattered off in different directions and only kept emerging one by one, the sources said.
Neither the state minister for Karamoja, Peter Lokeris, nor the area commander, Col. Andrew Gutti were available for comment by press time.
Security sources in Moroto told The New Vision that the fight was sparked off after the group of soldiers and LDUs tried to disarm their deserted colleagues.
"A scuffle ensued and both sides opened fire but the Dodoth overwhelmed the soldiers," the sources said.
There have been numerous attacks and raids by the various rival Karimojong warriors and against the Government troops in the past.
