During a meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, held at Baralegi State Lodge in Otuke District, the elders presented a petition stating that the escapees are involved in recruiting individuals, which escalates cattle rustling.
Elders and political leaders from Karamoja have appealed to the
government to grant amnesty to the Moroto prison escapees in order to address
the persistent cattle rustling in the region and neighboring districts. On September 16, 2020, at least 220 inmates overwhelmed the warders at Singila prison in Moroto, broke into the armory, and fled with 15 guns toward Mt. Moroto.
Some of the escapes were gunned down, others re-arrested while others are still at large to date. Now, during a meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, held at
Baralegi State Lodge in Otuke District, the elders presented a petition stating
that the escapees are involved in recruiting individuals, which escalates
cattle rustling.
The elders argued that the escapees are afraid of returning to prison
and would be willing to return the stolen guns if their prison sentences are
waived. They called for the government to pardon the escapees in order to halt
the recruitment of warriors for cattle rustling.
//Cue in: “There are people…
Cue out: …teams behind them.”//
Additionally, the elders requested increased deployment of
security forces in Jie County, Kotido, which they identified as a hotspot for
raiding.
//Cue in: “There is need…
Cue out: … collected behind him.”//
However, Ben Koryang Baatom, the Dodoth West MP disagreed with granting amnesty to the
prison escapees, stating that they should serve their sentences and then return
home.
//Cue in: “We have our…
Cue out: …considered for amnesty.”//
President Museveni declined to grant amnesty to the escapees, emphasizing the need to hunt them down and ensure discipline, unless they surrender voluntarily, in which case their surrender would be considered.
//Cue in: “I totally agree…
Cue out: …that is blackmail.”//
President Museveni did, however, grant full amnesty to the rest
of the Karamojong people to surrender their weapons to the military.
//Cue in: “I said you…
Cue out: …hand the guns.”//
The president noted that cattle rustling in Karamoja is hindering the development and draining government resources, as significant funds are allocated to purchasing guns, bullets, and ammunition to combat the rustlers.
//Cue in: “Anybody who cares…
Cue out: … to squander money.”//
Furthermore, Meri Jino Bornd, the Kaabong District LC V chairperson noted that disarming the
Karamojong without providing adequate protection is not feasible.
He suggested that the president engages with the Kenyan president to disarm the Turkana people, who frequently cross over to Karamoja to carry out animal raids.
Museveni advised intercepting and punishing the Turkana as soon as they cross into Karamoja.
