Amuru Veterinary Officer Killed during Balaalo Eviction Operation

By Ivan Tolit

Dr Samuel Ocora, the Amuru District Acting Veterinary Officer has been shot dead by a stray bullet during an operation to evict balaalo pastoralists in Kololo village, Lakang Sub County, Amuru District on Thursday night.

Ocora died at around 2; 00am while being rushed to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.

His death comes under the background that in the exercise of his function as the DVO in the implementation of the EXO 03/2023 on migrant cattle keepers, more than 300 animals were impounded on 25th.01.2024 and had to be secured till day break.

The District Police Commander (DPC), District Veterinary Officer (DVO) and Deputy District Internal Security Officer (DISO) drove to the UPDF detach in Lakang to secure manpower for the overnight.

According to Odong Stephen Latek, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner, they got the forces and in the course of driving back to the holding ground, one of the soldiers (Ekiu Francis attached to 65 battalion) who had not secured his gun well by closing the safe cause, had a bullet released from his gun shooting the gun holder in the leg and continuing to penetrate the cabin to hit the DVO who was seated behind the co-driver’s seat.

 He said that the bullet hit him from the back and efforts to move him to the medical facility were futile and breathe his last along the way.

Odong said the incident was purely an accident and negligent discharge by a UPDF soldier who had left his safe open.

 He said the deceased’s body has been conveyed to Gulu Military Hospital mortuary in Gulu City for postmortem while the suspect was also admitted at the same hospital.

 Micheal Lakony, the Amuru District LCV Chairperson said they are not convinced with the explanation security is giving on the cause of the DVO’s death.

 He said as local leaders they will do their own and private investigation to ascertain how their son died.

 Colonial Deo Akiki, the Deputy Defence Spokesperson and Spokesperson Operation Harmony, said the UPDF Special Investigation Branch and the Police Criminal Investigation Directorate have launched an investigation into the matter.

 According to Akiki, as UPDF they condole with the family of the deceased and promise to work together for harmony in the region as they wait for the report from the investigators   for management of the matter.