Moroto communities want UPDF training ground relocated

By Olandason Wanyama      
        
MOROTO - The residents [Tepeth] of Katikeikile Sub County in Moroto district want the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces-UPDF to relocate the shooting range training ground over the rampart bombing around Mt. Moroto, an issue they claim has disrupted the physical feature’s ecosystem.

Unconfirmed reports also indicate that some people while in gardens, grazing animals have been shot dead or injured by stray bullets. 

Others include the displacement from three villages that have been identified as Namutrotome located at the foot of Mt. Moroto, Kailokol and Apurichino, ancestral areas on the top of the mountain.

"The army should relocate to their training ground along the Kenya road, some 10 kilometres East of Moroto town. In the early 60’s, that land was acquired specifically for range training and the residents knew the land belonged to the army. We're surprised that since 2023/24 the training site has been established in the Moroto army barracks at the foot of the mountain, the village chairperson Namurotome Lokwakol Lokiru,"  has revealed. 

In an interview with New Vision, Lokiru confirmed reports that the military exercise has caused death, injuries and a lot of suffering to the community, including displacement, from their homesteads, gardens and grazing land.

“Let the army relocate to the official area, designated for the range training,” he noted.
Lokiru appealed to the UPDF to address the issues of reclaiming the land bought from the community in 1963/64 saying it is evident the area belongs to the army.

He also asked the army to compensate those affected by the bombardment, and stray bullet injuries adding that they are ready to ensure UPDF retain the range training ground.

“These displaced people are the ones who sold the land to the army in the 60s,” Lokiru said, adding that they later relocated to the hilly areas of Mt. Moroto.

LC5 chairperson speaks

David Koriang, the district chairperson Moroto when contacted said there was need to coordinate with the army over the matter.

“It’s true our people are affected by the bombs and bullets,” he noted, adding that whenever they have to conduct the exercises, let them notify the community.

Exploding ordinances shot by the UPDF during training at the foothill of Mt. Moroto last December. (Credit: Olandason Wanyama)

Koriang said the heavy bombardment has resulted in the mountain losing its eco-system partially yet these are areas where the locals pick grass and poles for building.

He appealed to the UPDF to handle the matter with urgency saying the army has its land along the Kenya road designated for training adding the Amin war in 1979 saw this place abandoned.

Koriang reiterated the need for the army to reclaim their land for future use.

RDC speaks

Speaking to this reporter on Feb. 28, 2925, the assistant resident district commissioner Moroto Mark Ail Musooka acknowledged getting reports on fatalities and deaths.
He said leaders need to meet and discuss the matter because it involves the government and its people who are greatly affected by the shootings.

“Relocation of the training ground is not a one-day issue,” Musooka noted, adding that it involves several stakeholders.

He, however, urged the army to reclaim its land that used to serve as a training area for the East African Force in the late 60’s and in the 70’s.

Musooka added that the forces had two places at Kapwata village, the area located along the Kenya road.

Another area was at Naminami village also in Rupa Sub County where the EA forces were trained and then relocated to the former for completion of the course.

“Naminami even had an airfield where planes would land,” he said, adding that at least he saw with his eyes during his youthful time.

He implored the government to ensure it retrieves all its land in Karamoja saying the 1979 war caused a huge loss of state property in the sub-region.