Traders supplying fresh foods to Karamoja have threatened to stop supplying food in Karamoja if the government does not prevail to end the rampant road ambushes by the armed Karimojong rustlers.
Karamoja region gets most of it’s food from neighbouring districts such as Mbale, Sebei, Teso, Lango and Acholi regions.
Speaking to URN on Monday, Patrick Wamuno, the Chairperson of the Moroto traders’ association said stopping from supplying food in Karamoja is the only remaining option that they are planning to use in order to save the lives of the traders.
According to Womuno, from 1st of February, ten road ambushes targeting traders across Karamoja has been registered.
Mr.Wamuno said the latest incident happened yesterday on Sunday night where the armed warriors laid an ambush and shot three trucks loaded with fresh merchandise taking to Moroto for sale.
He said the traders were shot at in Lorengedwat sub county in Nabilatuk district while transporting fresh food to Moroto.
“The lives of traders also matter, but government is too passive to take action on all the incidents that have taken place,” he said.
Rose Namboze, a trader recounted that on the 14th of February this year, armed cattle rustlers ambushed cattle traders in Kotido where by two traders were injured.
She said on 17th, a truck carrying fresh food to Amudat was ambushed around Cholol at the border between Nakapiripirit and Amudat but no one was Injured.
She added that on 20th, traders were ambushed along Kotido-Kaabong road but all the bullets missed them.
Ms Namboze said that now the recent incident of 27this this month following the previous ones are an indication that road ambushes are surely resurrected.
The mayor of Moroto Municipality Mohamed Ismail said the resurrecting of road ambushes in Karamoja would seriously affect food prices in the region.
“Government needs to come to our rescue because should these traders suspend operating in Karamoja routes we shall be in trouble,” he said.
Micheal Longole the Karamoja regional police Spokesperson confirmed that the incidents of road ambushes were on the rise but called for calm saying the army and the police were handling the situation.
“It’s true we are seeing an increase in road thuggery but we are working hard to deal with those criminals,” he said.
