'Prosecute Moroto Boss'

By Joyce Namutebi THE Teso Parliamentary Group has demanded that Moroto LC5 chairman Terence Achia be prosecuted for saying that a piece of land 40kms inside Katakwi district belonged to the Karimojong. They have petitioned the President over the matter saying they want a statement from government. They warned of possible massacre of the unarmed people of Katakwi and demanded that government immediately effects disarmament of the Karimojong. The demands were made at a press conference held at Parliament House recently. It was chaired by Onapito Ekomoloit, MP Amuria, Mike Mukula, MP Soroti Municipality, Col. William Omaria and John Oryokot. Onapito said that Achia be questioned by the Police over the basis of his claims because he was inciting the people of Karamoja against those of Katakwi. He said Achia made the claims on April 7, 2001 at Iriri at a meeting between army commanders and the leaders of Moroto. Mukula said, "We supported the President. The cries of our people must be responded to". He said there were over 100,000 guns in Karamoja and "if there is political explosion it would be difficult for the Government to control it". He said there were many options available to MPs. "Parliament can still revisit the issue of disarmament and see what measures to take," he said. Omaria said there would be no peace in Lango, Acholi, Teso and other areas if the Karimajong were not disarmed. Oryokot said, "The attitude towards disarmament is disappointing. If the President stayed in Karamoja for a week and said I want the guns, we would get the guns back," he said. Ends