UPDF burns 230 illegal K'jong guns
Feb 24, 2008
A TOTAL of 234 illegal guns, which were recovered from Karimojong warriors during the disarmament exercise, have been burnt by the army.
By Felix Osujo
A TOTAL of 234 illegal guns, which were recovered from Karimojong warriors during the disarmament exercise, have been burnt by the army.
The guns were set ablaze on Friday at Nabilatuk sub-county in Nakapiripirit district during a ceremony supervised by the 3rd Division commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho.
The resident district commissioner, Andrew Keem Napajo, the LC3 chairman, Obadia Lomongin, the health secretary, Lucy Lopua and the finance secretary, Christine Longok launched the torching of the guns.
“The security situation in Nakapiripirit has improved. No attack has been recorded since December. Therefore, I appeal to warriors to surrender all illegal guns because if caught, you will be prosecuted,†Napayo warned.
According to Kankiriho, the UPDF has recovered 3,622 guns during the disarmament exercise since last year.
“Before seizing the guns, the warriors used to arm their gangs with 100 guns and raid 400 head of cattle in a single raid. But as I talk now, they sneak out with three guns and steal about 10 animals,†Kankiriho said.
He noted that the exercise had also reduced the arms’ trade in the region.
Following the UPDF’s crack down on illicit trade in guns last year, the price of a gun in Karamoja has risen from sh400,000 to sh2m, while a bullet goes for sh3,000 from sh500.
Kankiriho urged the Karimojong to embrace government projects, especially the Universal Primary Education and Secondary Education programmes and commercial agriculture, to fight poverty.
A TOTAL of 234 illegal guns, which were recovered from Karimojong warriors during the disarmament exercise, have been burnt by the army.
The guns were set ablaze on Friday at Nabilatuk sub-county in Nakapiripirit district during a ceremony supervised by the 3rd Division commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho.
The resident district commissioner, Andrew Keem Napajo, the LC3 chairman, Obadia Lomongin, the health secretary, Lucy Lopua and the finance secretary, Christine Longok launched the torching of the guns.
“The security situation in Nakapiripirit has improved. No attack has been recorded since December. Therefore, I appeal to warriors to surrender all illegal guns because if caught, you will be prosecuted,†Napayo warned.
According to Kankiriho, the UPDF has recovered 3,622 guns during the disarmament exercise since last year.
“Before seizing the guns, the warriors used to arm their gangs with 100 guns and raid 400 head of cattle in a single raid. But as I talk now, they sneak out with three guns and steal about 10 animals,†Kankiriho said.
He noted that the exercise had also reduced the arms’ trade in the region.
Following the UPDF’s crack down on illicit trade in guns last year, the price of a gun in Karamoja has risen from sh400,000 to sh2m, while a bullet goes for sh3,000 from sh500.
Kankiriho urged the Karimojong to embrace government projects, especially the Universal Primary Education and Secondary Education programmes and commercial agriculture, to fight poverty.