There is heightened fear and tension from members of the public who ply the roads to Nakiloro and Kakingol, following continuous killings of innocent people in these areas.

In the past two weeks, bandits and criminals have taken over the areas, something that has seen over six lives lost in shooting incidents.

The latest incident occurred on Sunday where a boda boda rider-Emmanuel Otim was gunned down.

Police spokesperson for Karamoja Mike Longole has intimated that the killings are revenge oriented, adding that this was revealed by community members during a community policing event held recently in the area.

Longole however says security is attempting to establish the root causes of these persistent killings.

According to the police mouthpiece, community members believe that all the atrocities being witnessed in the area is being caused by a UPDF deserter only identified as Lokol, who is heading a gang of criminals.

Records show that Lokol was once arrested by security agencies in a cordon and search operation but some leaders pleaded with security to release him, claiming he was innocent.

Charles Topos-a resident of Moroto has blamed the intelligence system of failing to avail information to the security agencies.

Topos wondered how criminals can manage to beat the whole intelligence system right from the village to the district level but urged the army to pursue and track the criminals.

He says security agencies should use a tracking devise to locate the criminals who he noted that are using the phones of their victims to make and receive calls.

Meanwhile, the third division public information officer, Maj.Isaac Oware says the UPDF are on the ground pursuing the criminals, who he noted that have already been profiled.

Maj.Oware called for calm from the public, adding that the situation has not gone out of hand, as the military beefs up deployment.