The cattle were raided by Karamojong warriors and recovered during separate operations as security forces intensified efforts to combat livestock theft.
In July 2021, the government of Uganda launched Usalama Kwa Yote Operations to disarm all the Karamojong who had illegal firearms. The operations have seen considerable success since its inception.
The report shows that 1170 guns and 9217 rounds of ammunition were seized while 53,253 livestock were recovered, 29,321 suspected cattle rustlers were arrested and 2091 have been prosecuted.
The region experienced some relative peace for the last nine months following peace dialogues which led to the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms. However, in the last four months, the insecurity resurfaced in the sub-counties of Rupa, Katikekile, and Lotisan
Judith Natuk, a community mobilizer, warned of escalating insecurity as some warriors refused to surrender their guns. She noted fresh attacks, urging joint efforts to apprehend wrongdoers and recover stolen firearms.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said that there is a need for the general public to enhance alertness at all levels during the Easter season.
This operation resulted in the forceful recovery of a Sub Machine Gun (SMG) with serial number P07743 BC, along with another numberless SMG, accompanied by 17 live rounds of ammunition.
Maj Isaac Oware, the UPDF 3rd Division Spokesperson told URN that the forces have witnessed a number of guns recovered both forcefully and voluntarily handed over in the month of January.
Michael Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said on Wednesday that the Forces responded swiftly by conducting an operation that led to his arrest and recovery of a gun.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson noted that out of the 265 guns recovered, at list 106 guns and 1206 ammunition were recovered voluntarily in the 42 Karachunas based engagement meetings held across the sub region.
Elias Kasirabo, the commandant Anti Stock Theft Unit- ASTUs noted that the presidential directives have helped the security forces to manage the operations and reclaimed relative peace in the region.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson, expressed concern about potential criminal activities anticipated within communities, with motorcycles potentially being used to facilitate crimes.
Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, the Deputy Commander of the UPDF 3rd division, explained that the absence of accessible roads in mountainous areas makes it arduous to apprehend armed criminals. He noted that these criminals utilize the mountainous terrain to monitor security movements and evade capture by escaping to higher ground.
According to Security, they are anticipating an increase in cattle theft and burglary during the festive season as hardcore criminals ignore calls to surrender the illegal firearms in their possession.
Charles Logit from Nabilatuk district surrendered his weapon last Saturday following engagements with reformed warrior security units. Loneliness in the bush, coupled with the demise and surrender of his comrades, led Logit to seek a way to surrender his gun, reassured by the safe return of his colleagues.
Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, deputy commander UPDF 3rd division said that they have started their operations against the Turkana Pastoralists because they partly contribute to the insecurity in the region.
John Nangiro, the LC5 chairperson of Nakapiripirit district, emphasized the need for urgent peace dialogues with the aggrieved pastoralists before they migrate back to prevent possible revenge attacks.
The reformed warriors say that they have increasingly become vulnerable and exposed to the threats of attacks from the armed Pokot and Turkana from Kenya after surrendering their guns to the government. They are now accusing their political leaders of convincing them to give out the guns.
Currently, the joint security forces are conducting community peace dialogues to convince the cattle raiders to voluntarily hand over their guns without prosecution. The initiative has yielded results from the districts in Northern Karamoja such as Abim, Kotido, Kaabong and Karenga.
However, there has been some resistance from the districts in the south Karamoja that comprises Moroto, Napak, Amudat, Nabilatuk and Nakapiripirit.
The ongoing dialogues bring together the local leaders, Elders, Security team, and community members. The campaign also seeks to mobilize the warriors who are still in the jungle to embrace peace and voluntarily hand over their guns.
The districts of Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Amudat and Napak have witnessed a new wave of vandals in the last three months mainly targeting roadsigns, Borehole spare parts, Electric wires belonging to Uganda Electricity Distribution company, organization signposts, and binding iron bar wires for bridges among others.
