Four Mbale Cattle Traders Brutally Shot Dead in Karamoja Ambush

February 5, 2024

Amudat, Karamoja, Uganda

In a shocking incident on Sunday afternoon, four cattle traders hailing from Mbale City in eastern Uganda were ruthlessly shot and killed by unidentified armed assailants suspected to be Karimojong warriors. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 3 pm along Lemusui Road in Akonguyo village, Amudat Sub County, within the restive Karamoja sub-region.

The acting Mt Moroto regional Police Spokesperson, Inspector Mike Longole, confirmed the unfortunate attack, revealing that the assailants trailed the victims before executing the deadly assault. A team of detectives, accompanied by a canine unit, promptly visited the crime scene and recovered crucial evidence.

In a brief statement, Inspector Longole conveyed the grim details, stating, “Police in Amudat District have today (Sunday) at around 3:30 pm registered a nasty incident where four people traveling in Motor vehicle Reg. No. UBP 601Q Toyota Harrier, black in color, were shot dead by suspected armed thugs.”

Though the police spokesperson did not disclose the identities of the victims, sources in Mbale revealed that they were cattle dealers. The bodies have been transported to Amudat Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations as investigations into the motive behind the attack and the search for the assailants intensify.

Inspector Longole condemned the brutal murder of the innocent travelers, emphasizing that witness statements have been recorded to aid ongoing investigations. The tragic event adds to a series of attacks in the mineral-rich Karamoja sub-region over the last five years, primarily fueled by cattle rustling, contributing to persistent insecurity despite previous disarmament operations conducted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

The Ugandan public awaits further updates from the authorities as they work diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding this appalling incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by armed violence in the region, prompting concerns about the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of insecurity.