M7 urged against K’jong recruitment
Mar 12, 2008
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has been asked to review the recruitment of an exclusive Karimojong force into the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.
By Simon Naulele
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has been asked to review the recruitment of an exclusive Karimojong force into the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.
In a seven-page petition, the chairpersons of districts bordering Karamoja region said recruiting the over 4,000-strong force would defeat the purpose of an ongoing disarmament exercise in the region.
They said the force would carry guns that may be misused. The chairpersons are those of Lira, Katakwi, Amuria, Amuria, Soroti, Dokolo, Pallisa, Kapchorwa, Bukedea, Sironko, Kumi and Bukwa.
The Government intends to set up the force to fight cattle rustlers in Karamoja and neighbouring districts.
Katakwi chairperson Robert Ekongot, who also heads the Teso chairpersons forum, said they expect to meet the President today.
“What is the crisis for the Government to re-arm the Karimojong instead of reinforcing the army and the Police to handle the situation,†he said, adding that the force should alternatively be trained in farming.
Ekongot noted that arming the Karimojong has left the population bordering Karamoja in fear.
“The timing is bad! History shows that time is required for the restoration of trust. The neighbouring communities need to recover and disarmament allowed to proceed till its conclusion,†he said.
Ekongot stated that in 2001 and 2003, civilians were murdered in Ngariam sub-county, Katakwi by people in security uniforms suspected to be vigilantes from Karamoja.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has been asked to review the recruitment of an exclusive Karimojong force into the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.
In a seven-page petition, the chairpersons of districts bordering Karamoja region said recruiting the over 4,000-strong force would defeat the purpose of an ongoing disarmament exercise in the region.
They said the force would carry guns that may be misused. The chairpersons are those of Lira, Katakwi, Amuria, Amuria, Soroti, Dokolo, Pallisa, Kapchorwa, Bukedea, Sironko, Kumi and Bukwa.
The Government intends to set up the force to fight cattle rustlers in Karamoja and neighbouring districts.
Katakwi chairperson Robert Ekongot, who also heads the Teso chairpersons forum, said they expect to meet the President today.
“What is the crisis for the Government to re-arm the Karimojong instead of reinforcing the army and the Police to handle the situation,†he said, adding that the force should alternatively be trained in farming.
Ekongot noted that arming the Karimojong has left the population bordering Karamoja in fear.
“The timing is bad! History shows that time is required for the restoration of trust. The neighbouring communities need to recover and disarmament allowed to proceed till its conclusion,†he said.
Ekongot stated that in 2001 and 2003, civilians were murdered in Ngariam sub-county, Katakwi by people in security uniforms suspected to be vigilantes from Karamoja.