The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 3 Division Commander Maj Gen Don William Nabasa has urged youths to denounce criminality and embrace peace initiatives in Karamoja and Teso subregions.
The Division Commander and some senior officials met youth leaders and councilors from across Karamoja Sub-region and Kapelebyong district at a peace meeting held at Leslona Hotel in Moroto Municipality. “I urge you to use your trusted network and structures to talk to fellow youths and Karachunas involved in cattle thefts to desist from the vice. We encourage voluntary surrender of guns,” Maj Gen Nabasa said.
He narrated that as part of the operational guidelines, whoever voluntarily surrenders a gun won’t be subjected to the prosecution process but will be registered as a potential beneficiary of Government Programs such as Parish Development Model (PDM) and other related incentives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Non -Government Organisations (NGOs).
He explained that Karamoja is endowed with natural resources and potentially needs to be fully harnessed to transform it.
He added that this can only be possible if criminality ends for total restoration of security and peace.
The two-star General promised to enhance deployments of troops in the most critical areas to curtail the movement of some criminal elements to Teso, Sebei, parts of Lango and Acholi subregions.
He re-echoed that the disarmament operation is intelligence-led and calls for purposeful information gathering which should be obtained from the goodwill of human beings.
On his part, Hon. Akorikin Francis the Chairperson of Local Council 5 for Kapelebyong thanked youth leaders for attending and appealed to them to convey messages of hope and prosperity to their target audience across the subregions.
The General and senior leaders were thankful to Mercy Corps facilitators and acknowledged their utmost organization that made the meeting timely and possible.
Present were; Lt Col Fred Wemba, Division Intelligence Officer, Maj Moses Amuya, Division CIMIC and over 100 youth leaders from Karamoja Subregion and Kapelebyong district in Teso subregion among others.
