UPDF can’t torture the Karimojong
Jan 02, 2007
THE proliferation of small arms into Karamoja is still is a major problem in the northern and eastern parts of Uganda. It is estimated that there are between 30,000 and 40,000 arms in the sub-region which are a source of insecurity within Karamoja and to the neighbouring districts.
By Felix Kulayigye
THE proliferation of small arms into Karamoja is still is a major problem in the northern and eastern parts of Uganda. It is estimated that there are between 30,000 and 40,000 arms in the sub-region which are a source of insecurity within Karamoja and to the neighbouring districts.
President Yoweri Museveni camped in Karamoja in 2002 and agreed with local leaders that for development to take place in the region there must be peace, and that peace was synonymous with disarmament.
Government has a responsibility to ensure that law and order prevail and that arms must be in authorised hands. Thus, in the first phase of disarmament the President collected 16,000 guns. The flare-up of the LRA insurgency in Teso in 2003 disrupted the programme as troops had to be redeployed to deal with the insurgents that were killing and maiming innocent civilians in Teso.
On October 28, 2004, however, the President re-launched the disarmament programme in Moroto. During the launch, the President and local leaders like MPs, LCs, elders, kraal leaders and religious leaders jointly resolved that:
There should be no ambushes on roads, so as not to paralyse public transport.
Pastoralists should not cross to other districts to attack or rob (rustle) livestock.
They (Karimojong) were free to move for pastures and water during the dry season, but without guns.
No coming to public places with guns.
No intra-Karimojong raids, for example, the Jie against Bokora or vice-versa.
During this same launch, it was observed that the majority of the people in the region do not want the gun.
It is absurd that the agreement made with the President has been breached grossly as ambushes and raids have resumed. For example, by 2006, everybody in Nakapiripirit district had to be inside their houses by 8:00pm. In Teso, Pader and Kapchorwa, people had resorted to either chaining or padlocking their animals or sharing the same house, with its attendant health hazards.
On August 15, 2003, Dodoth warriors raided unspecified number of animals and killed 14 civilians on spot.
On the same day Karimojong warriors ambushed a vehicle belonging to missionaries heading to Kaabong. Fr. Mantivon Mario, Brother Godfrey of Lopei and five Christians were killed. There were also several ambushes on other days on missionaries like in Kamusalaba where a Reverend Sister and a priest were killed, among others.
On January 19, 2004, an ambulance was ambushed and one medical worker critically injured (later died) at Matany. The culprit was arrested and charged.
On February 10, 2004, the LC1 of Napeipel was ambushed and killed in his village in Matany sub-county.
On August 23, 2002, the former LC5 of Kotido, Adome Lokwi, behaved like a warrior and shot at his wife, narrowly killing her.
On February 6, 2005, a motor vehicle No. UAF 592, a Land Cruiser belonging to SVI, was ambushed and two mobile phones, two cameras, sh0.5m, two driving permits and two bags of clothes were robbed.
In mid-2005, the Nakapiripirit district accountant, Dennis Opin, was shot dead by a warrior. The culprit was arrested and he tried to escape leading to his death.
On February 15, 2006, a senior tutor, Abraham San Ikicu of Losilang TTC, was ambushed and shot dead by warriors.
On February 22, 2006, in Nakapiripirit, Hon Peter Lokeris’ van was ambushed as it entered his home in Namalu. He survived but two people were injured.
On February 22, 2006, Lokeri’s campaigner was ambushed and shot dead by warriors.
On September 6, 2006, a vehicle was ambushed between Lobel and Sidok bridge in Kaabong and a child of the LC5 councillor was killed.
On September 5, 2006, gunmen attacked the LC5 Chairman’s residence in Kaabong and shot a soldier on guard.
In March 2006, about 150 Pokot attacked Sundet and killed 14 people.
On August 14, 2006, warriors ambushed a vehicle between Wilela and Koya killing a security officer, Martin Dokoman.
On October 29, 2006, warriors ambushed Maj. Kham Rwashande and killed him together with 14 other soldiers, including a second lieutenant.
On November 7, 2006, warriors sneaked into Moroto Prison barracks and shot and injured the officer-in-charge.
Whereas the MPs from the region are unanimous in condemning the disarmament, they were silent about the above crimes.
Because of the increasing crime rate in Karamoja and surrounding districts, and the killing and raping of people in Lukole sub-county, Agago county, Pader district, by Karimojong who had been in the area for pastures, coupled with the deafening silence of the leaders from the region, the UPDF introduced cordon, search and disarm operation in May 2006.
The aim of the exercise was “to restore law and order in Karamoja and to guarantee security of person and propertyâ€.
The operation has yielded an additional 5,000 guns, bringing the total number collected to over 22,000 since the launch of the first phase.
Concurrently, we undertook to brand the livestock so as to discourage rustling. Over 150,000 animals have been branded.
Several complaints were raised against the UPDF. Subsequently, two investigations were made and findings proved that whereas there were some cases of indiscipline, many of the allegations were exaggerated.
For avoidance of loopholes, however, the Commander of the Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, issued operational guidelines.
The main stay of the guidelines is treatment of the civilians with courtesy coupled with involvement of local leaders and special respect for women and children. There are 13 guidelines and failure to observe any of them is tantamount to commission of offence(s) punishable under Part IV of the UPDF Act.
All in all, we do not condon excesses by our personnel, but we must remember that the victims of these lawless Karacunas also have rights.
The writer is the
spokesman of the UPDF
THE proliferation of small arms into Karamoja is still is a major problem in the northern and eastern parts of Uganda. It is estimated that there are between 30,000 and 40,000 arms in the sub-region which are a source of insecurity within Karamoja and to the neighbouring districts.
President Yoweri Museveni camped in Karamoja in 2002 and agreed with local leaders that for development to take place in the region there must be peace, and that peace was synonymous with disarmament.
Government has a responsibility to ensure that law and order prevail and that arms must be in authorised hands. Thus, in the first phase of disarmament the President collected 16,000 guns. The flare-up of the LRA insurgency in Teso in 2003 disrupted the programme as troops had to be redeployed to deal with the insurgents that were killing and maiming innocent civilians in Teso.
On October 28, 2004, however, the President re-launched the disarmament programme in Moroto. During the launch, the President and local leaders like MPs, LCs, elders, kraal leaders and religious leaders jointly resolved that:
There should be no ambushes on roads, so as not to paralyse public transport.
Pastoralists should not cross to other districts to attack or rob (rustle) livestock.
They (Karimojong) were free to move for pastures and water during the dry season, but without guns.
No coming to public places with guns.
No intra-Karimojong raids, for example, the Jie against Bokora or vice-versa.
During this same launch, it was observed that the majority of the people in the region do not want the gun.
It is absurd that the agreement made with the President has been breached grossly as ambushes and raids have resumed. For example, by 2006, everybody in Nakapiripirit district had to be inside their houses by 8:00pm. In Teso, Pader and Kapchorwa, people had resorted to either chaining or padlocking their animals or sharing the same house, with its attendant health hazards.
On August 15, 2003, Dodoth warriors raided unspecified number of animals and killed 14 civilians on spot.
On the same day Karimojong warriors ambushed a vehicle belonging to missionaries heading to Kaabong. Fr. Mantivon Mario, Brother Godfrey of Lopei and five Christians were killed. There were also several ambushes on other days on missionaries like in Kamusalaba where a Reverend Sister and a priest were killed, among others.
On January 19, 2004, an ambulance was ambushed and one medical worker critically injured (later died) at Matany. The culprit was arrested and charged.
On February 10, 2004, the LC1 of Napeipel was ambushed and killed in his village in Matany sub-county.
On August 23, 2002, the former LC5 of Kotido, Adome Lokwi, behaved like a warrior and shot at his wife, narrowly killing her.
On February 6, 2005, a motor vehicle No. UAF 592, a Land Cruiser belonging to SVI, was ambushed and two mobile phones, two cameras, sh0.5m, two driving permits and two bags of clothes were robbed.
In mid-2005, the Nakapiripirit district accountant, Dennis Opin, was shot dead by a warrior. The culprit was arrested and he tried to escape leading to his death.
On February 15, 2006, a senior tutor, Abraham San Ikicu of Losilang TTC, was ambushed and shot dead by warriors.
On February 22, 2006, in Nakapiripirit, Hon Peter Lokeris’ van was ambushed as it entered his home in Namalu. He survived but two people were injured.
On February 22, 2006, Lokeri’s campaigner was ambushed and shot dead by warriors.
On September 6, 2006, a vehicle was ambushed between Lobel and Sidok bridge in Kaabong and a child of the LC5 councillor was killed.
On September 5, 2006, gunmen attacked the LC5 Chairman’s residence in Kaabong and shot a soldier on guard.
In March 2006, about 150 Pokot attacked Sundet and killed 14 people.
On August 14, 2006, warriors ambushed a vehicle between Wilela and Koya killing a security officer, Martin Dokoman.
On October 29, 2006, warriors ambushed Maj. Kham Rwashande and killed him together with 14 other soldiers, including a second lieutenant.
On November 7, 2006, warriors sneaked into Moroto Prison barracks and shot and injured the officer-in-charge.
Whereas the MPs from the region are unanimous in condemning the disarmament, they were silent about the above crimes.
Because of the increasing crime rate in Karamoja and surrounding districts, and the killing and raping of people in Lukole sub-county, Agago county, Pader district, by Karimojong who had been in the area for pastures, coupled with the deafening silence of the leaders from the region, the UPDF introduced cordon, search and disarm operation in May 2006.
The aim of the exercise was “to restore law and order in Karamoja and to guarantee security of person and propertyâ€.
The operation has yielded an additional 5,000 guns, bringing the total number collected to over 22,000 since the launch of the first phase.
Concurrently, we undertook to brand the livestock so as to discourage rustling. Over 150,000 animals have been branded.
Several complaints were raised against the UPDF. Subsequently, two investigations were made and findings proved that whereas there were some cases of indiscipline, many of the allegations were exaggerated.
For avoidance of loopholes, however, the Commander of the Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, issued operational guidelines.
The main stay of the guidelines is treatment of the civilians with courtesy coupled with involvement of local leaders and special respect for women and children. There are 13 guidelines and failure to observe any of them is tantamount to commission of offence(s) punishable under Part IV of the UPDF Act.
All in all, we do not condon excesses by our personnel, but we must remember that the victims of these lawless Karacunas also have rights.
The writer is the
spokesman of the UPDF