Karamoja MP Hands Over Illegal Gun

THE Member of Parliament for Matheniko county, Mr. Sam Pirir Abura, handed in his illegal gun to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Moroto on Sunday, reports Nathan Etengu. Pirir was among the 500 Matheniko Karimojong who voluntarily handed in their guns under the disarmament programme launched by President Yoweri Museveni. Pirir handed in his gun to the UPDF 3rd Division commander, Col. Sula Semakula, in a ceremony held at Kangole trading centre. The President made a brief stop over at Kangole to address the local defence force personnel for Bokora county who are undergoing training. Semakula said Pirir’s gun, an SMG KA 2028, had 14 bullets. He said Pirir said he got the gun from the Government in 1993. “We, however, do not have any record that a gun was ever given to Pirir,” Semakula said. He said the MP said the Government could have lost the records. Museveni, who received a sample of the 3,155 guns voluntarily handed in on Sunday, danced to Karimojong songs, jumping high in the air. “I am happy with your response to my call to remove illegal guns,” he said. Meanwhile, the President has pitched camp in Karamoja to supervise the establishment of permanent UPDF units on Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya, reports Kezio Musoke. The president’s decision comes a day after the implementation of a parliamentary resolution to begin the Karamoja disarmament programme by December 2. Museveni launched the programme on Sunday at the Boma grounds, Moroto, and received 500 guns handed in voluntarily by the Matheniko. The Army’s Chief Political Commissar, Brig. Kale Kaihura, said yesterday Museveni decided to stay in Karamoja and personally supervise the disarmament programme until further notice. Ends