Col Semakula Wrong
Sep 24, 2002
THE COMMANDING officer of the UPDF 3rd Division Col. Sula Semakula’s deadline to Kenya authorities in West Pokot district to recover cattle stolen from Uganda and apprehends the culprits expires today.
THE COMMANDING officer of the UPDF 3rd Division Col. Sula Semakula’s deadline to Kenya authorities in West Pokot district to recover cattle stolen from Uganda and apprehends the culprits expires today.
On Monday he threatened to enter Kenya in pursuit of Kenyan Pokots who raided over 800 head of cattle from Kapchorwa districts. He even warned that the Kenyans would have to “bear the consequences.†He emphatically said that he would “mobilise all the equipment†to ensure that the cattle is recovered.
This is utter recklessness. Col Semakula has no powers to issue ultimatums to authorities in a sovereign state. He is not even expected to make such serious threats. If he leads UPDF into Kenya it will be tantamount to a declaration of war. The Pokot will fight back and Kenya security will have the right to protect its citizens.
Col Semakula is a courageous commander but this should not mislead lead him into adventurous operations likely to harm Uganda -Kenya relations. At best he should contact his counterparts in the Kenyan army to assist in recovering the stolen cattle. Basically cattle theft is a matter that can be jointly handled by the Uganda and Kenya police. Kapchorwa district leaders can also make an appeal to the West Pokot authorities.
Col. Semakula’s threats are provocative and wrong. The point is West Pokot district is not, and can never be under the jurisdiction of the 3rd Division or UPDF. Even though cattle were stolen from Uganda it does not require UPDF to “invade†Kenya to recover them.
The threats should be withdrawn immediately and sensible ways to recover the cattle considered.
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On Monday he threatened to enter Kenya in pursuit of Kenyan Pokots who raided over 800 head of cattle from Kapchorwa districts. He even warned that the Kenyans would have to “bear the consequences.†He emphatically said that he would “mobilise all the equipment†to ensure that the cattle is recovered.
This is utter recklessness. Col Semakula has no powers to issue ultimatums to authorities in a sovereign state. He is not even expected to make such serious threats. If he leads UPDF into Kenya it will be tantamount to a declaration of war. The Pokot will fight back and Kenya security will have the right to protect its citizens.
Col Semakula is a courageous commander but this should not mislead lead him into adventurous operations likely to harm Uganda -Kenya relations. At best he should contact his counterparts in the Kenyan army to assist in recovering the stolen cattle. Basically cattle theft is a matter that can be jointly handled by the Uganda and Kenya police. Kapchorwa district leaders can also make an appeal to the West Pokot authorities.
Col. Semakula’s threats are provocative and wrong. The point is West Pokot district is not, and can never be under the jurisdiction of the 3rd Division or UPDF. Even though cattle were stolen from Uganda it does not require UPDF to “invade†Kenya to recover them.
The threats should be withdrawn immediately and sensible ways to recover the cattle considered.
Ends