Uganda ends life cycle of 147 year-old rifles

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In its efforts to curb gun proliferation in the Karamoja sub-region, the Ugandan government has destroyed at least 100 firearms, among them are the 147 year-old 3O3 British make.

The guns have been in existence since 1889, used during World Wars I and II. Currently, such firearms are mostly used by private security firms across the country.

A total of 56 submachine guns –SMGs and 44 3O3 rifles were destroyed at a ceremony held at Naitakwae village, Naitakwae parish in Nadunget sub-county, Moroto district. (Photo by Olandason Wanyama)

On Thursday, February 18, a total of 56 submachine guns –SMGs and 44 3O3 rifles were destroyed at a ceremony held at Naitakwae village, Naitakwae parish in Nadunget sub-county, Moroto district.

Presiding over the event, the minister for Karamoja, Peter Amaitum Lokeris, urged the Karimojong to surrender arms to the state.

He revealed that the rush for guns during the colonial era and during the overthrow of Idi Amin Dada left Karamoja crippled, adding that destroying guns voluntarily surrendered or seized by force was a good move.

Rehabilitated youths trying to identify their guns before they were burnt. (Photo by Olandason Wanyama)

He equated a gun to scabies, saying that when one gets it, it starts itching him to commit a crime.

It’s because of this, he said, that most families have lost loved ones all over the sub-region.

Lokeris encouraged those in possession of illegal guns to think twice and hand them over to security forces, the office of the resident district commissioner (RDC), or at least take the arms to the village or sub-county leadership.

Lokeris appreciated the African Union, Peace and Security Council for the decision to commemorate the September Africa Amnesty months on voluntary surrender of illegal weapons.

Florence Kirabira, Assistant Commissioner of Police at the internal affairs ministry in charge of small arms and light weapons, said the arms were chiefly used by the criminal gangs.

Security officers arranging gun parts that were not burnt at the end of the exercise. (Photo by Olandason Wanyama)

Such arms, she said, had impacted on the government's efforts and resources in the restoration of law and order in the sub-region.

Moroto RDC Benon Kwikiriza congratulated security forces for restoring peace in the sub-region.

“The surrender of arms is a crucial step in silencing guns in Karamoja and the continent at large,” he said.

He, however, noted that the border along the Karamoja stretch was still porous, allowing gun proliferation.

He also encouraged parents to take children to school, noting that the time for insecurity in the region had come to an end.

Unidentified fire fighter puts out the fire after the guns were burnt at Naitakwae in Moroto. (Photo by Olandason Wanyama)

“If we do not take the children to school, we risk having more cycles of warriors,” he said, adding that cattle camps have continued training these young boys as raiders.

The exercise that was attended by rehabilitated youths, women peace forums, is part of the African Amnesty month celebrated under the theme, “Safer communities through voluntary disarmament.”