Soldiers watch over the impounded cattle at the Lokitaleabur army detachment

By Daniel Edyegu

THE UPDF has started screening animals that were impounded within Panyangara sub-county, Kotido district during a four-day operation code-named operation hamua.

The animals are being kept at Lokitaleabur army detachment. The screening exercise is aimed at establishing the owners of the cattle, said Brig. Patrick Kankiriho, the 3rd Division commander.

Out of 918 animals screened by Monday, 674 were branded. A total of 107 cattle belonged to the Dodoth, 56 to the Bokora, 31 to the Matheniko and 32 to the Topotha and the Turkana from southern Sudan and north-western Kenya.

At least 448 animals belonged to the Jie.

Kankiriho said the cattle would be given to those who surrender illegal guns.

“We are giving them only this week to return the guns and reclaim their animals. Within this period, they will have accessibility to the cattle and related products while the animals are under our protection.

“When the week elapses, those who will not have returned the illegal guns will have their animals confiscated and will only access their products.”

The 405 Brigade commander, Lt. Col. David Kabangira, explained that the operation would continue to other districts to rid the sub-region of illegal guns.