Museveni makes changes in Karamoja
May 22, 2010
<br>PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has made changes in the army command in Karamoja. The President promoted Major John Bosco Biryabarema to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed him as the Acting Brigade Commander 503 Brigade, based in Kabong District.
By Barbara Among
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has made changes in the army command in Karamoja. The President promoted Major John Bosco Biryabarema to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed him as the Acting Brigade Commander 503 Brigade, based in Kabong District.
Lt. Col. Emmanuel Kanyesige, who was the commander, has been sent abroad for studies.
Also promoted was Capt. Benson Logira to the rank of Major and he is the commanding officer of 51 Battalion. Longira has been acting in the same position.
“The two officers were promoted to confirm their acting ranks and appointments and at the same time recognise their efforts in the disarmament,†read a press statement from the army spokesperson.
The changes come just a week after President Museveni toured the region, where he blamed the army bosses in Karamoja for the continued cattle raids, saying they had all the means to stop the “nonsenseâ€, but had failed.
It is, however, not clear whether the changes are connected to Museveni’s comment.
The President had said he was ready to personally take over the Karamoja command if the chiefs did not show seriousness.
Citing the theft of 5,200 animals in Namalu Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District, Museveni wondered how over 400 attackers could escape.
Museveni was reacting to reports that cattle rustlers had destroyed property and killed civilians in the region.
“I cannot keep on wasting resources in the name of picking illegal guns (disarmament),†he said.
The army, however, said it had achieved a lot of success in the disarmament programme in Karamoja. They said close to 30,000 guns were recovered and only less than 1,500, remain in the hands of rustlers.
The disarmament process in Karamoja started in 2001.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has made changes in the army command in Karamoja. The President promoted Major John Bosco Biryabarema to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed him as the Acting Brigade Commander 503 Brigade, based in Kabong District.
Lt. Col. Emmanuel Kanyesige, who was the commander, has been sent abroad for studies.
Also promoted was Capt. Benson Logira to the rank of Major and he is the commanding officer of 51 Battalion. Longira has been acting in the same position.
“The two officers were promoted to confirm their acting ranks and appointments and at the same time recognise their efforts in the disarmament,†read a press statement from the army spokesperson.
The changes come just a week after President Museveni toured the region, where he blamed the army bosses in Karamoja for the continued cattle raids, saying they had all the means to stop the “nonsenseâ€, but had failed.
It is, however, not clear whether the changes are connected to Museveni’s comment.
The President had said he was ready to personally take over the Karamoja command if the chiefs did not show seriousness.
Citing the theft of 5,200 animals in Namalu Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District, Museveni wondered how over 400 attackers could escape.
Museveni was reacting to reports that cattle rustlers had destroyed property and killed civilians in the region.
“I cannot keep on wasting resources in the name of picking illegal guns (disarmament),†he said.
The army, however, said it had achieved a lot of success in the disarmament programme in Karamoja. They said close to 30,000 guns were recovered and only less than 1,500, remain in the hands of rustlers.
The disarmament process in Karamoja started in 2001.