Senior leaders and security commanders in Karamoja Sub-region have urged the community to persuade armed cattle rustlers and ‘Karachunas’ to use the existing amnesty in place to surrender all illegal guns.
This was during a security and community mobilization engagement that was held at Losilang Catholic Parish grounds, Kotido district which attracted hundreds of community members from both Kaabong and Kotido districts. “President Yoweri Museveni gave amnesty for those who voluntarily hand over guns. We urge you to relay to the cattle rustlers to heed this call and return all guns to the government,” said Mr. Ambrose Onoria, the Resident District Commissioner for Kotido.
The RDC explained that the rustlers and Karachunas who voluntarily hand over guns to security forces and local leaders will be registered as direct beneficiaries of existing government programs and incentives.
Colonel David Byaruhanga, the 405 Brigade Commander who represented the 3 Division Commander of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Major General Don William Nabasa appealed to ‘Karachunas’ to emulate the examples of Mzee Apei Lokut and Igira Museveni who surrendered their guns and are now closely working with forces as advocates for peace.
Speaking at the same mobilization drive, Hon. Joseph Lokut Mukasa, the Vice Chairperson for Kaabong District, called for peaceful communal grazing of livestock from Kaabong and Kotido districts at Moruitit as a common belt.
On his part, Joseph Lokiding the Catholic Priest at Losilang Parish encouraged the community to embrace the rule of law and urged them to attend prayers for repentance.
The ongoing disarmament Operation code-named ‘Usalama Kwa Wote,’ loosely translated as peace for all is a joint effort by security forces in close collaboration with respective local governments in northeastern Uganda and employs both voluntary and forceful approaches.
Present were: Members of Kotido District Security (DSC), security officers from UPDF and Police Region, the Local Council and Civil leaders among others.
