K’jong Lose Arms Nov 30

By Nathan Etengu and Kenneth Otim President Yoweri Museveni has said full-scale disarmament of Karimojong begins on November 30. He said he would personally return to Katakwi a month yesterday to launch the programme. Museveni also assured the people of Katakwi that helicopter gunships would be permanently stationed in Soroti to fly to any part of Karamoja within 30 minutes. “I will come and stand here with you to launch the disarmament programme together with the Karimojong so that it does not look like a conflict between the Iteso and the Karimojong,” Museveni said. He said he would change the Karimojong rustlers into good soldiers. He said he transformed the former Peoples Militia in Teso into one of the best UPDF units. Museveni was yesterday addressing Katakwi district leaders during a meeting at the district administration headquarters. Museveni, who has pitched camped at Olilim near the Katakwi-Moroto border, said disarming the Karimojong was not a big problem. The first deputy prime minister, Eriya Kategaya, ministers John Nasasira, Ruhakana Rugunda, Grace Akello, Kiddu Makubuya, Syda Bumba, Christine Amongin Aporu Okol, Mary Mutagamba, Ruth Nankabirwa, Mike Mukula and Byaruhanga attended the meeting. Museveni attributed the delay in the disarmament programme to lack of co-ordination within the army and the ministry of defence. He said the ministry frustrated his earlier programme for disarmament when it came up with a huge budget that could not be afforded at the time “What billions do you need to disarm the Karimojong? I fought a war in Luweero and defeated (former President Milton) Obote when I did not have any budget,” Museveni said. He said the upcoming dry season would be ideal for the disarmament programme since there will be no rain in the Karamoja region. Museveni also said he would routinely travel to Katakwi and the Karamoja region to oversee the disarmament programme. He said he would visit Karamoja to inform the leadership there about the planned mass dis-armament programme. “I do not want to surprise them because some of the Karimojong are willing to voluntarily surrender their guns,” Museveni said. “The resources are there. What has been lacking was coordination,” Museveni said. He said the vigilante in Karamoja would be equipped with radio communication. Ends