Five individuals, including notable local figures, narrowly escaped death on Monday evening when armed bandits attacked their vehicle near the Moroto Cement Factory.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. at Kautakou Village, approximately three kilometers from the factory.
The vehicle occupants included Luke Logiro, NRM youth chairperson for Moroto District; Jehoshaphat Opong, a presenter at UBC Totore Radio, popularly known as DJ Jones; Zainab Angella, former NUP coordinator for Karamoja; and two others.
According to DJ Jones, the group was returning from a thanksgiving ceremony for Bokora East MP Peter Ken Lochap when the ambush occurred.
“It was God who saved us,” he recounted, describing the terrifying moments as gunfire shattered the night.
Another occupant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, questioned why security forces took long to respond, despite a detachment being stationed close to the factory.
The attack is the first of its kind in nearly two years of relative peace in the region, which had seen road ambushes and major cattle raids nearly cease.
Local leaders fear it could signal a resurgence of insecurity in Karamoja.
Karamoja regional police spokesperson Mike Longole confirmed the incident, saying joint security forces cordoned off the area and deployed canine units.
However, no suspects have been traced due to witnesses being unable to pinpoint the exact location of the shooting.
“Public safety and security measures have now been enhanced on all major routes,” Longole said, urging residents to remain calm but vigilant as investigations continue.