By Anne Mugisa
The army has launched an investigation into alleged abuse by officers carrying out the “cordon and search” disarmament exercise in Karamoja.
The Minister of State for Defence, Ruth nankabirwa, said yesterday if the allegations were verified and culprits identified, they would be dealt with.
She, however, denied reports that the UPDF had suspended the “cordon and search” for guns.
The UNDP also announced that it had suspended its operations in Karamoja over the exercise and sought clarification from the Government on the disarmament policy.
“Pending clarification from the Government on the current disarmament approach in Karamoja, the UNDP has suspended its support to activities related to Karamoja Integrated Disarmament and development Plan (KIDDP),” a statement from the UNDP said yesterday.
Media reports said the army had suspended the disarmament exercise on the orders of the army commander, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima.
The reports said nyakairima ordered the suspension after meeting MPs from Karamoja.
The reports said the MPs had petitioned the government over alleged torture, rape, looting and burning of Karimojong homesteads by the UPDF during forceful disarmament.
But Nankabirwa said yesterday the meeting convened by defence minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga was not about the suspension of the exercise and that it was still going on.
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