By Chris Ocowun

THE army has expressed concern about the high rate of small arms trafficking as the northern insurgency ends.

“There is going to be high rate of small arms trafficking after this war because we do not know how many guns are in the hands of the LRA and how many they shall hand over to the Government when the Juba peace talks succeed,” Brig. George Etyang, the UPDF 4th Division commander, said.

He was presenting a paper at a workshop organised by a group, Foundation for Youth Transformation, on the role of the UPDF in the post-conflict situation at Olango Conference Centre on Friday.

Etyang warned that there are many guns in the bushes and others owned by people who may use them to rob and kill people.

He said there are thousands of bombs and other unexploded ordinances buried underground that displaced persons may continue unearthing as they settle in the villages.

“This is our biggest challenge in the post conflict situation,” Etyang said. Etyang added that there are many illegal small arms being smuggled into the country.

He noted that some thugs will throw away their wooden guns and acquire real guns after the insurgency to terrorise the population.

Etyang explained that the army and the Police are trying to clear landmines, bombs and unexploded ordinances before people resettle

Uganda is working on a new comprehensive firearms policy to replace the current Firearms Act, which will soon be tabled in Parliament. Analysts say laws to control illegal trafficking of small arms across East Africa should be harmonised to make them more effective and curtail instability in the region.