Overview:
The latest victim was prominent farmer Dicken Okidi Kamilo, whose killing has intensified anger among residents and local leaders. Mohamed Okwir, the LCIII Chairperson of Adilang Sub-county, said the persistent insecurity has overwhelmed the only three security personnel at Lamuon detach in the sub-county, and called for the arming of retired soldiers to help defend the community.
Residents of Adilang Sub-county in Agago District are living in fear following a surge in cattle rustling attacks that have left at least four people dead, dozens injured, and scores of livestock stolen. The attacks, reported in Cul, Lamoun, Lawireng, Langol, and Kamurono villages in Adilang sub-county, have seen suspected raiders make away with 40 head of cattle in the past three months.
Only four animals have so far been recovered. Two houses were also burnt, four people were injured by arrows, and three people were killed, including a soldier of the Uganda People’s Defence Force. The latest victim was prominent farmer Dicken Okidi Kamilo, whose killing has intensified anger among residents and local leaders. Mohamed Okwir, the LCIII Chairperson of Adilang Sub-county, said the persistent insecurity has overwhelmed the only three security personnel at Lamuon detach in the sub-county, and called for the arming of retired soldiers to help defend the community.
Okwir also questioned the performance of some deployed soldiers, alleging that some detachments had grown too familiar with local communities and were failing to provide accurate reports. Okwir demanded transfers and fresh deployments to restore confidence. Patrick Odoch, the LC 1 Chairperson of Kamurono Village, said several residents are afraid to access their land, while others live in their home only during day time, and sleep in trading centers for fear of being attacked at night.
In response, Robinson Wambala, the UPDF Intelligence Officer at Lira Kato Barracks, urged local leaders to improve coordination with security agencies instead of shifting blame. “This is not the first time we are meeting. Some of you have my number, but you don’t call. If you see weaknesses in detachments, drunkenness, or laxity, report to the I.O., the commanding officer, or the RDC. We shall take action,” Wambala said.
Wambala explained that on the day of the latest attack, security forces were engaged in multiple operations, including an ambush in areas bordering Abim and Kotido districts. He said two suspected warriors were killed during earlier operations, but a snakebite incident involving a soldier disrupted coordination.
“However much we did not help much at that moment, soldiers evacuated the casualty to the hospital and responded. Better intelligence sharing from community leaders could prevent future incidents,” Wambala said. Wambala appealed to the communities and leaders to stop the blame games and work together against the rustlers.
The Resident District Commissioner of Agago and chairperson of the district security committee, James Nabinson Kidega, blamed local leaders and residents for using the wrong communication channels to report threats. “I am the chairperson of the district security committee, but I have never received a phone call from any local. There is an order of command in the army. The LC I should call me so that if there is a delay, I can escalate for a quick response,” Kidega said.
Kidega acknowledged lapses in vigilance, noting that much attention had been diverted to recent political campaigns, creating security gaps that raiders exploited. “During campaigns, even if you talked, many did not listen. Some people danced the whole night together with the rustlers. Now that campaigns have ended, let us return to securing our people and their livestock.”
He emphasized the need for collective responsibility among leaders, residents, and security forces, warning against further blame games. With the onset of rains, a period often associated with increased cattle movement, Kidega cautioned residents against roaming livestock, lest the animals are impounded and owners penalized by sub-county authorities.
The suspected Karamojong cattle rustlers had reduced attacks for nearly three years, but have recently renewed attacks in the districts of Kitgum and Agago.
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