Karamojong warriors surrender guns to security forces in Moroto

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Two more guns have been handed over to the joint security forces in Moroto district.

The submachine guns, number 56-3005911, with 8 live rounds of ammunition, and BC 27849 with 4 live rounds of ammunition were voluntarily handed over to security on Friday by Lomokol Loduk and Akol James, all residents of Rupa Sub County in Moroto district.

This brings the total number of guns recovered to four in one week in Moroto and Kaabong districts respectively.

Lt Col Fred Wemba, the Division Intelligence Officer while receiving the guns stated that the surrender of the two guns is a testimony of the continued voluntary approach, response, and respect of the existing Presidential Amnesty Window in the disarmament operation.

The two cattle rustlers who voluntarily surrendered guns received Karamoja disarmament cards and remain potential beneficiaries of government incentives and other related programs.

‘’We applaud the security forces, local leadership, and the wanahinchi (civilians ) towards progressive and tireless efforts in the recovery of arms, livestock and maintaining security in the Karamoja Sub-region’’ Wemba said.

In the related development, the joint security forces have also re-designated the livestock movement routes in the region due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Bukedea and Kumi districts.

Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said that they have considered re–designing the livestock routes to avoid the rapid spread of food and mouth disease through animal movements.

Longole directed the livestock traders to use Nadunget in Moroto- Amuria-Soroti-Awoja-Kapir-Ngora town connecting to Mukongoro and then Pallisa.

He explained that the cattle dealers will no longer use Ngora to Bukedea route through Kumi because of the foot and mouth disease threats.

Longole revealed that the Commander ASTU Animal Checkpoints has coordinated with Veterinary doctors and other security agencies in those areas to ensure the smooth movement of cattle traders with their livestock to their final destinations.

‘’Cattle traders in breach of designated routes and movement hours (daytime) will automatically face the consequences,” Longole warned.

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