UPDF recover Katakwi cows

By John Eremu and Emmanuel Akelem THE UPDF have recovered over 200 head of cattle raided from Katakwi district in recent weeks by Karimojong warriors, the third divisional Commander, Col. Godfrey Taban has said. Taban told The New Vision on Sunday that the animals were recovered from Moroto and handed over to Katakwi district authorities last week. "We recovered about 200 head of cattle in an operation in Moroto. Of course a few (of the raided) animals could have disappeared but the search will continue," Taban said by telephone. The Karimojong in various raids on Obulengorok and Achoa sub-counties in Usuk, rustled up to 615 head of cattle and unspecified number of sheep and goats since the beginning of the month. The UPDF has, however, recovered 249 of the stolen cattle and handed them to Katakwi district. The hand-over was witnessed by the Katakwi district LC5 chairman, Mr. Stephen Ilemukorit, the Resident District Commissioner, David Masereka, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer, John Akorimo and local councillors from the areas which were raided. A fresh wave of raids compounded by claims by Karimojong that part of the land in Katakwi district belongs to Karamoja sparked off a demonstration last Thursday where protesters marched through Katakwi town to express their anger to the Government. The Katakwi district council in an emergency meeting recently resolved to send a delegation to President Yoweri Museveni to personally intervene to resolve the matter. Ends