Security operatives in Karamoja Sub-region are investigating circumstances surrounding an ambush on Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) soldiers in Nakapiripirit District.

The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of two UPDF soldiers. The incident occurred as armed Pokot individuals reportedly ambushed troops belonging to the 51 Infantry Battalion. These soldiers were engaged in tracking a group of approximately 300-400 stolen cattle from the Kobion area in Loleng Sub-County, located in the same district.

Confirming the occurrence of the incident, Major Isaac Oware, the spokesperson for the UPDF 3rd Division, stated that the soldiers were ambushed on the night of August 26, at Molunyangai Hill.
“Due to a triple ambush on the troops of the 51 Infantry Battalion, our soldiers lost their lives while in the line of duty, and one soldier sustained an injury. This incident, along with previous ones, violates the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Uganda and Kenya,” Major Oware conveyed over the weekend.

Among the deceased, one has been identified as Lieutenant John Ojur Ssentongo. The identities of the other deceased soldier and the injured soldier have not been determined at the time of this report. Major Oware appealed to the leadership of West Pokot County to identify the suspected criminals responsible for the attack. He emphasized the importance of holding them accountable for justice.

Major Oware reaffirmed that the UPDF leadership in the region is dedicated to executing operations against armed criminal elements from neighbouring countries. Their objective is to expel these elements and potentially weaken their capabilities.

Last year, authorities from both Uganda and Kenya came to an agreement with the goal of ending criminality and firearm-related violence among inter-pastoral communities in the Karamoja Sub-Region of Uganda and Turkana County in Kenya.