Suspected Karamojong rustlers gun down Speaker, his wife in Kotido

Authorities in Karamoja are investigating circumstances under which suspected Karimojong rustlers shot and killed Daniel Akom, the speaker of Kapeta sub-county in Kotido district, and his wife Jenifer Akidi.

The couple was gunned down around 8 pm on Sunday night at their home for unknown reasons.

According to Moses Akena the Kotido District Police Commander, the couple was preparing to sleep inside their house when they were killed. 

He adds that a joint security force comprising the army and police has started hunting for the killers.

“We will get them and I know they are not very far. We want to ask the community members to cooperate with security to get rid of these criminals,” he said. 

Kotido Chief Administrative Officer Joseph Lomongin says that the continued attacks targeting local leaders in the district frustrate service delivery.

Meanwhile, Joseph Komol Kotido LC V Chairperson says that the decision of the rustlers to target elected leaders is unfortunate and wonders how they will deliver services to the locals.

“How can they expect services to be delivered to them if they are killing the leaders?” he asked. Two months ago, suspected rustlers gunned down Abraham Lochen, the speaker of Kamoru sub-county.

This came a week after the rustlers also shot dead Moses Koryang, a Village Health Team member. Earlier the rustlers also shot dead the LCIII chairperson of Napumpum sub-county Paul Lowok.