Scores reported killed in cattle raids near Sudan border

Scores of people have been killed near Uganda's northeastern border with Sudan by heavily armed Karamojong cattle raiders in three separate attacks on villages near the Kidepo Valley National Park. The Ugandan army said 12 people had been confirmed dead, but local officials said up to 60 people were killed. The attacks, the officials said, occurred last week when Jie warriors from Karamoja living near the border, attempted to raid cattle from the neighbouring Toposa. A gun battle ensued in which the Jie were overpowered. Lt David Mbiire, the army spokesman for the eastern region, told IRIN on Thursday: "The number we have verified based on bodies recovered is 12. Two of the raids happened in Uganda; one raiding party crossed the border into Sudan." However, the Kotido District information officer, Michael Okello told IRIN: "I don't know how many were involved, but I've heard it was a large force. The number I have been given by the villagers is over 60 killed in the raid." Mbiire said such raiding expeditions accompanied by gunfire, leading to scores of casualties, were commonplace in the region, in spite of government efforts to dissuade "warrior" communities from attacking each other. "This is standard practice," Mbiire said. "The army has since stepped in to deal with them. Thirty-four rustlers have been arrested." Uganda's Minister of State for Karamoja Peter T. Lokeris said: "This incident is regrettable, but security forces have restored calm. We shall have to investigate to determine numbers who have perished."