The Ugandan army has retrieved the bodies of two soldiers and three government geologists who were killed in the north-eastern region of Karamoja.
The geologists were on a mission to collect soil samples in the mineral-rich region. Their bodies had been handed over to the energy ministry, military spokesman Brigadier Felix Kulayigye told the BBC.
He said that the attackers were Turkana cattle rustlers from across the border in Kenya – and they had ambushed the group about 40km (25 miles) from Moroto town.
The Turkana are said to have collaborated with the Matheniko, a Karimojong clan from Uganda.
Pastoral communities in region often move across borders in search of pastures for their livestock, especially during long dry seasons.
But cattle rustlers also exploit weak border controls to organise raids.
A disarmament programme by the Ugandan army saw many guns removed from the community about a decade ago – leading to some years of relative peace in the region.
But with improvements to roads and with mobile phone access, cattle rustling has become more a commercial affair – and the army began a new disarmament campaign last year.
Brig Kulayigye said that the army was in touch with Turkana elders for the return of weapons stolen from the soldiers.
Source: BBC
