KOTIDO, UGANDA – Karamojong rustlers are suspected of assassinating Daniel Akom, the speaker of Kapeta sub-county in Kotido district, and his wife Jenifer Akidi. The couple had planned to sleep in their home when they were shot dead around 8 p.m. on Sunday night for unknown reasons. (A Kotido speaker was killed by suspected rustlers)
Kapeta is one of the new sub-counties that arose from the Kacheri sub-county. According to Moses Akena, the Kotido District Police Commander, the couple was about to sleep inside their house when they were killed. According to Akena, a joint security force comprised of the army and police has begun searching for the murderers.
“We’ll get them, and I know they’re not far away.” “We want to ask members of the community to work with security to get rid of these criminals,” he said. According to Joseph Lomongin, the Kotido Chief Administrative Officer, the district’s continued attacks on local leaders impede service delivery.
According to Kotido LCV chairperson Joseph Komol, the rustlers’ decision to target elected leaders is unfortunate. “How can they expect services to be provided to them if they are assassinating the leaders?” he questioned. Two months ago, suspected rustlers assassinated Kamoru sub-county speaker Abraham Lochen.
The rustlers also killed Moses Koryang, a Village Health Team member, a week earlier. Previously, the rustlers were also killed.
According to Moses Kinei, a resident of Kacheri trading center in Kotido district, no civilian wants to associate with any security person for fear of being killed by rustlers. “Security is appealing for public assistance, but they are unconcerned about the safety of community members who volunteer information,” he said. (A Kotido speaker was killed by suspected rustlers – latest news in ug)
