{UAH} Illegal Guns Trade Causes Panic in Karamoja
|
10:57 AM |
No comments |
Illegal Guns Trade Causes Panic in Karamoja
16 Dec 2017, 12:30 0 Comments 273 Views Moroto, Uganda CrimeEast AfricaSecurity Breaking news3rd Division Commander, Brig Richard Otto speaking during a regional security meeting on the renewed cattle raids. On his right is the deputy county commissioner for Loima in Kenya while on his left is the LCD Kotido and RDC Moroto on extreme left.
In short
But the peace is being threatened by reports of illegal arms entering the region from neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan. The influx of arms has also revived cattle raids along borders and within the various Karimojong ethnicities.
Audio is only available to paying subscribers.
Reports of fresh illegal arms trade have caused panic in Karamoja, a region that was only pacified through a massive disarmament exercise four years ago.
The disarmament exercise which ended decades of fighting between Karamoja and neighbouring communities recovered more than 31,000 guns from individuals. Although a few guns still remained in the hands of individuals, the region has generally been more peaceful in the recent past.
But the peace is being threatened by reports of illegal arms entering the region from neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan. The influx of arms has also revived cattle raids along borders and within the various Karimojong ethnicities.
The raids started with the Turkana who were reportedly avenging for their cows that were reportedly stolen by the Jie and Dodoth communities in the districts of Kotido and Kaabong during the last grazing season. The Jie and the Matheniko communities in Moroto were also involved in raids in the past few weeks.
However, the raids intensified in October, attracting the massive intervention of both security agencies and the local leadership. Up to six people, among them adults and children have reportedly lost their lives in the violent raids since July. The residents say they now live in fear for their lives and livestock.
Paul Lotyang, a resident in Rupa, a Sub County which borders Turkana County in Kenya says the raids have intensified because of guns. He says most of the guns are traded through Nyangia and Lobalangit areas in Kaabong, neighbouring South Sudan.
Statistics from 3rd Infantry Division in Moroto show that 2,493 head of cattle have been raided from January to November this year. Of these, 1,756 have been recovered. During the same period, 52 guns were recovered from civilians with 3,380 rounds of ammunition and six bombs.
Lotyang notes that he has lost more than 31 animals which have not been recovered to date. Lotyang revealed that guns are exchanged with ox-ploughs where each ox-plough is reportedly exchanged with two guns.
// cue in; (Ngakarimojong bite) "Elosete ngitunga...
Cue out...isipan ngiuni"//
The 3rd Division Commander, Brig. Richard Otto confirms the infiltration of illegal guns in the region but notes that the army is tracking their source.
// Cue in "It is very possible.
Cue out...still with guns"//
Peter Eripete, the County Secretary for Turkana government in Kenya reiterated his commitment to restoring peaceful coexistence between the Karimojong and the Turkana.
// Cue in "I may not be sure...
Cue out...still illegal"//
On Friday, Turkana County Government and the National government officials from Kenya met the local government leadership of Karamoja to resolve the cropping security crisis in the region. The meeting chaired by the 3rd Division Commander resolved to address the security crisis especially of illegal guns and cattle raids with urgency.
The disarmament exercise which ended decades of fighting between Karamoja and neighbouring communities recovered more than 31,000 guns from individuals. Although a few guns still remained in the hands of individuals, the region has generally been more peaceful in the recent past.
But the peace is being threatened by reports of illegal arms entering the region from neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan. The influx of arms has also revived cattle raids along borders and within the various Karimojong ethnicities.
The raids started with the Turkana who were reportedly avenging for their cows that were reportedly stolen by the Jie and Dodoth communities in the districts of Kotido and Kaabong during the last grazing season. The Jie and the Matheniko communities in Moroto were also involved in raids in the past few weeks.
However, the raids intensified in October, attracting the massive intervention of both security agencies and the local leadership. Up to six people, among them adults and children have reportedly lost their lives in the violent raids since July. The residents say they now live in fear for their lives and livestock.
Paul Lotyang, a resident in Rupa, a Sub County which borders Turkana County in Kenya says the raids have intensified because of guns. He says most of the guns are traded through Nyangia and Lobalangit areas in Kaabong, neighbouring South Sudan.
Statistics from 3rd Infantry Division in Moroto show that 2,493 head of cattle have been raided from January to November this year. Of these, 1,756 have been recovered. During the same period, 52 guns were recovered from civilians with 3,380 rounds of ammunition and six bombs.
Lotyang notes that he has lost more than 31 animals which have not been recovered to date. Lotyang revealed that guns are exchanged with ox-ploughs where each ox-plough is reportedly exchanged with two guns.
// cue in; (Ngakarimojong bite) "Elosete ngitunga...
Cue out...isipan ngiuni"//
The 3rd Division Commander, Brig. Richard Otto confirms the infiltration of illegal guns in the region but notes that the army is tracking their source.
// Cue in "It is very possible.
Cue out...still with guns"//
Peter Eripete, the County Secretary for Turkana government in Kenya reiterated his commitment to restoring peaceful coexistence between the Karimojong and the Turkana.
// Cue in "I may not be sure...
Cue out...still illegal"//
On Friday, Turkana County Government and the National government officials from Kenya met the local government leadership of Karamoja to resolve the cropping security crisis in the region. The meeting chaired by the 3rd Division Commander resolved to address the security crisis especially of illegal guns and cattle raids with urgency.
Gwokto La'Kitgum
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Even a small dog can piss on a tall building" Jim Hightower
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
Related Posts:
{UAH} Uganda trails EA in literacy skills-is his progress or moving in reverse gear,we used to walk tall- {UAH} BURUNDI PROTESTS - LESSONS FOR ANTI-MUSEVENISM UGANDANS
- {UAH} Monthly salary?
- {UAH} NKURUNZIZA LEAVES TANZANIA AFTER ‘COUP'; REGIONAL FRENEMIES LAUGHED AND CUT HIM FROM SUMMIT PHOTOS
- {UAH} END ‘THIRD TERM-ISM’ IN AFRICA
0 comments:
Post a Comment