Residents of Rupa Sub-County in Moroto district are living in fear following the alleged presence of armed warriors in the area.
It’s reported that the armed warriors have been traversing the corridors of Rupa and Lotisan sub-counties, especially in the areas of Nakabaat.
The locals suspect that the warriors could have come from the surrounding mountains, where they have been hiding.
They say that they are living in fear because they do not know the intentions of the warriors, and are urging security forces to intervene.
On Thursday, four women from Nawoi village were attacked by armed warriors while collecting grass near the river, illustrating the immediate threat faced by locals. The women said that they heard the warriors say that they should not be shot, but be abducted. T
Bernard Lokong, a youth councilor for Rupa sub-county, said that they were shocked to learn about the incident that happened to the women.
Lokong said that they reported the matter to the security forces for further action.
Lokong noted that the incident should not be taken lightly because the warriors have always been using the same tactics when they start their attacks.
Lokong added that during this festive season, the warriors often start causing threats to the community, kidnapping, and robbing people’s properties for survival.
Lokong said that this concern worries them a lot, and if not addressed, it may graduate to another level of road ambushes.
He noted that the situation is going to be even more challenging for them as local leaders, who have been targeted.
Margaret Ayugi, one of the residents, said that they had been enjoying peace until Thursday, when they heard about the story of warriors hiding with guns in the bushes.
Ayugi said that the rumor of warriors moving around with guns has circulated in the entire sub-county, and the community is worried about their safety. She said that they can no longer move freely, for fear of falling into the warriors’ ambushes.
Ayugi called on the security forces to take the matter seriously because they have suffered from past incidents of insecurity, and they would not like to go back to those days.
The community in Rupa has, over the past years, seen a spate of attacks by suspected Karamojong warriors believed to have come from areas surrounding Mt Moroto.
The armed warriors have laid ambushes, abducted people, and stolen livestock in recent weeks, until recently, when the joint security forces managed to restore sanity. However, these reports of warriors moving around with guns have stirred panic among residents.
Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson, said that the forces are on the ground to ensure stability in the area.
Longole urged the community to remain calm and cooperate with the security forces by reporting any suspicions of wrongdoing to them for further action.
Longole also reported that they recovered 40 goats and arrested three suspects in an operation conducted in Katanga village, Moroto municipality.
On November 20, 2025, at approximately 1300 hours, Joint Security Forces received information about suspected stolen goats in Rupa and Lotisan sub-counties. The joint forces later embarked on an operation to recover the stolen goats, and their intelligence led them to Katanga village, where they recovered the goats and apprehended suspects.
Longole also clarified the alleged bombs reportedly recovered in Katanga village during the operation.
Longole explained that the guns carried by security personnel may have been misconstrued as bombs by the locals.
“We regret any confusion or alarm this may have caused and assure the public that there is no credible threat to security in the area,” Longole reiterated.
Longole further reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
“We will continue to work together to address any emerging security concerns,” Longole added.
In the related development, Joint security forces have successfully recovered an illegal SMG rifle in Nabilatuk District.
The operation, conducted by a team of security personnel, resulted in the recovery of the firearm, registration number 28758, without any rounds of ammunition, from a Karamojong warrior in Napao Village, Kosike Sub-County.
Longole said that the recovery was facilitated by intelligence gathered over a month, which led to the impoundment of 65 heads of cattle from Namorulem Village, Kosike Subcounty, where the suspects’ kraal is located.
He noted that the suspects attempted to claim their cattle by offering to surrender the illegal firearm, which was later taken to the DISO’s office and exhibited.
“The joint security forces commend the community for their continued support and cooperation in the fight against insecurity. We urge the public to continue providing information that will aid in our efforts to restore peace and security in the region,” Longole said.
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