UPDF warns Karamojong leaders against interfering in its operations

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Security agencies in Moroto have issued a warning to Karamojong leaders involved in inciting the public against operations mounted by the UPDF and anti-stock theft unit, for purposes of recovery of raided cows and arrest of criminals.

The warning was issued by UPDF spokesman Edrin Mawanda on Saturday, at Nadunget holding ground where at least 1,000 heads of cattle were impounded by the joint forces from Kaisin, Kodonyo and Natapara-kwangan parishes in Loputuk sub county, Moroto district.

“Today, two people from Lotome were injured when the community from Moroto became rowdy and lawless during identification exercise at Nadunget holding ground,” said the spokesman. “The army strongly warns leaders from inciting the public against our operations meant to arrest criminals and recover raided animals. Demonstrations are criminal and uncalled for. This has been seen in Kaabong and Moroto. Be warned that inciting violence will not be accepted and whoever does it will be arrested.”

Mawanda however urged the leaders from Karamoja to support the joint operations by the UPDF and other security agencies in removing criminality in the region if Karamoja wants peace.

Police spokesperson Michael Longole blamed the leaders from Moroto for inciting violence, and reiterated that anyone who goes on inciting members of the public would be arrested.

From August to mid October 2021, several cattle were raided in Lotome sub county, Napak district. The DISO, UPDF and ASTU, organized an operation to impound cattle from Kaisin, Kodonyo and Napatara-Kwangan parishes of Loputuk sub county, Moroto district, which intelligence identified as areas where raided cows were hidden by Mathekini raiders.

On October 14th, UPDF together with ASTU carried out an operation in the areas Kaisin, Kodonyo and Natapara –kwangan parishes in Loputuk sub county, Moroto district, where more than 1,000 cows were impounded.

People of Lotome were called for an identification exercise, but the Moroto residents opposed the exercise and caused a fracas.

The people of Moroto (Matheniko) have been complaining that their cattle has often been raided by suspected Bokora from Napak district, and the UPDF has done little to recover them.

Even during the identification exercise, the local leaders from Moroto boycotted the exercise which was only attended by the district chairperson, David Koriang as opposed to earlier exercises that were heavily attended by local leaders.

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