Passenger Apprehended with Ammunition in Karenga

Lucky Daniel Lokong , a suspect who was arrested with ammunition while on board

In Karenga District, law enforcement officials have taken a man into custody on charges of possessing ammunition. The apprehended individual, identified as Lucky Daniel Lokong, was arrested on a Wednesday at the Kapedo checkpoint. He was on board a Robolyn Bus that was traveling from Kitgum and destined for Kaabong district.

Upon searching the bus, security personnel discovered Lokong in possession of a bag containing 145 live ammunition rounds. Michael Longole, the spokesperson for the Mt. Moroto Regional Police, stated that there is reason to believe that Lokong transported this ammunition from Karenga District to Lolelia Sub County, where he is suspected of engaging in the trade.

Longole pointed out that the region has been grappling with the challenge of controlling the influx of illegal firearms, primarily due to the porous borders shared between Kenya and South Sudan. Notably, this incident marks the second time that security personnel at the Kapedo checkpoint have intercepted ammunition. Last September, two individuals were arrested for concealing a gun within a bag of maize.

In response to these concerns, Longole emphasized that they have intensified their vigilance at every security checkpoint to combat the trafficking of arms and other illicit property transportation. Lokong is presently being held in custody at the Kapedo Zonal ASTU headquarters as investigations into the matter commence.

In 2022, the local leaders in the region tasked the government to investigate the supply of ammunition and security uniforms to the Karimojong cattle rustlers.