20 arrested over arms
Mar 31, 2008
THE army has arrested 20 suspected arms traffickers since it deployed around Mt. Elgon along the border between Uganda and Kenya on February 7, according to the spokesman in the east.
By Daniel Edyegu
THE army has arrested 20 suspected arms traffickers since it deployed around Mt. Elgon along the border between Uganda and Kenya on February 7, according to the spokesman in the east.
The 3rd Division public relations officer, Capt. Henry Obbo, added that over 60 guns, a pistol, six tortoise hand grenades and several rounds of ammunition were recovered.
He explained that the suspects, who are currently in detention at the division headquarters in Bugema, Mbale district were mainly picked up from Bukwo district while trafficking weapons to Kenya.
“The Sabiny are now the biggest arms traffickers in Karamoja sub-region. They conceal the arms in sacks of flour, jerrycans of alcohol and cross with them to Kenya through Mt. Elgon. The guns are identical with those in Karamoja,†he said.
The army, Obbo added, had deployed around the mountain following insecurity in the area. On February 4, unidentified thugs murdered a Belgian tourist, Annick Van De Venster, in Mt. Elgon National Park.
According to Obbo, the Sabiny purchase the guns from the Karimojong who are desperate to dispose them of due to the pressure the army has exerted on them in the ongoing disarmament exercise.
“They cross with the guns to Kenya, while some are sold to thugs around Mt. Elgon. We are yet to establish where the arms are sold in Kenya and at what prices. All those arrested trafficking arms will be court-martialled,†he said.
THE army has arrested 20 suspected arms traffickers since it deployed around Mt. Elgon along the border between Uganda and Kenya on February 7, according to the spokesman in the east.
The 3rd Division public relations officer, Capt. Henry Obbo, added that over 60 guns, a pistol, six tortoise hand grenades and several rounds of ammunition were recovered.
He explained that the suspects, who are currently in detention at the division headquarters in Bugema, Mbale district were mainly picked up from Bukwo district while trafficking weapons to Kenya.
“The Sabiny are now the biggest arms traffickers in Karamoja sub-region. They conceal the arms in sacks of flour, jerrycans of alcohol and cross with them to Kenya through Mt. Elgon. The guns are identical with those in Karamoja,†he said.
The army, Obbo added, had deployed around the mountain following insecurity in the area. On February 4, unidentified thugs murdered a Belgian tourist, Annick Van De Venster, in Mt. Elgon National Park.
According to Obbo, the Sabiny purchase the guns from the Karimojong who are desperate to dispose them of due to the pressure the army has exerted on them in the ongoing disarmament exercise.
“They cross with the guns to Kenya, while some are sold to thugs around Mt. Elgon. We are yet to establish where the arms are sold in Kenya and at what prices. All those arrested trafficking arms will be court-martialled,†he said.