Staff at the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development have been saddened by the death of three of their colleagues at the hands of the brutal armed rustlers in Karamoja sub region.
At least have five bodies belonging to three geologists attached to Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and two Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers have been recovered . The five were attacked by armed cattle rustlers who are on a rampage in the Karamoja sub region -which had hitherto remained largely peaceful for the last 10 years .
The geologists included an intern identified as Edna Musiime from Makerere University. The others Richard Kiggwe, the lead geologist and his colleague, Charles Olweny. The two slain UPDF soldiers were yet to be identified. The five were gunned down on Monday while on duty .
Sources at the Ministry of Energy said that government officials were in the area to collect soil samples from Lokisilei village in Lotisan Sub County in Moroto District. They were attacked about 40 kilometers away from Moroto town.
“They have provoked us (security personals) and now we are going for them wherever they are,” Brig Joseph Balikudembe who is the area UPDF commander told the media.
The UPDF land forces Commander Gen. Muhoozi kainerugaba said promised “hell fire” to restore peace and security in the minerals rich Karamoja sub region . “My Karimojong brothers! We have begged you to stop the life of robbery and violence. We have begged you to stop attacking your neighbours but to no avail! You have refused all our appeals! Well, now we are coming and hell is coming with us!,” Gen. Muhoozi said in a tweet.
