Teacher shot dead, two injured in Moroto
Some teachers pictured pondering at Atedeoi primary school on May 18, 2023 after one of their colleagues was shot dead the day before. PHOTO/ SIMON PETER EMWAMU
What you need to know:
- Julius Okello, one of the teachers at the school in the restive Karamoja sub region said about 10 armed warriors overpowered the security guard armed with a bow and arrow.
- Mr Paul Oputa, the District Education Officer, Moroto said they will close the school, to enable the teachers recover from the trauma caused by last night's incident.
Suspected armed warriors last night raided Atedeoi primary school, Lotisan Sub County in Moroto District and killed a female teacher, leaving her husband and child injured and fighting for their lives in hospital.
Mr Julius Okello, one of the teachers at the school in the restive Karamoja sub region in northeastern Uganda, told this publication that the attack happened at 10pm when close to 10 armed warriors in number overpowered the security guard armed with a bow and arrow.
He said the suspected warriors first attacked the classroom block where primary seven pupils were sleeping before advancing to the teachers’ block where they shot and killed Joy Chebet , a support teacher who has been volunteering at the school.
“In a scuffle that followed, Chebet’s husband, Peter Chepskor was shot in the shuttered testicles. He’s currently admitted at Moroto regional referral hospital alongside his child,” Mr Okello said.
Mr Okello said this is not the first time Atedeoi primary school is being attacked.
He said during the Covid lockdown, some warriors turned one classroom into their hiding sanctuary but they were later apprehended by security.
“We have actually been told to temporarily leave the school for a safer place until the situation calms down,” he said.
Ms Rose Ayuru, another said here colleague bled for over an hour before she died.
“Had the district authorities intervened early after being alerted, maybe her life would have been saved,” she said.
Mr Paul Oputa, the District Education Officer, Moroto said they will close the school, to enable the teachers recover from the trauma caused by last night's incident.
“We are relocating the teachers to a safer place in Moroto town to have them recover from the trauma they went through when the warriors attacked,” the DEO said.
Mr Michael Longole, the spokesperson for Mount Moroto region police said some suspects had been arrested as investigations continue.
“The situation is calm, and the police and sister security forces are investigating the incident,” Mr Longole said.
Atedeoi primary school in Lotisan Sub County in the mineral-rich region has 1,038 pupils with nine government teachers, two support teachers and eight others facilitated by the save the children international.
