22 Karimojong arrested over murder
Nov 19, 2009
A total of 22 Karimojong warriors suspected of murder have been arrested in a joint operation by the army and the Police in the last one month.
By Daniel Edyegu
A total of 22 Karimojong warriors suspected of murder have been arrested in a joint operation by the army and the Police in the last one month.
The suspects, most of whom were netted in gun-related crimes, would be tried for aggravated murder in the ongoing Court Martial at Moroto army barracks, a statement said.
Some of the suspects were notorious criminals on the wanted list since 2007, said the statement issued by the UPDF 3rd Division spokesman, Capt. Henry Obbo, on Tuesday.
“The subsequent operation will consider the arrest of Karimojong involved in the settlement of murder cases in the unconstitutional local courts popularly known as etem. Elders chairing the etem have sanctioned extra-judicial killings and confined people in unlawful detention centres, especially in Nakapiripirit district,†Obbo said.
“We respect the Karimojong traditions but the Constitution is clear on unlawful cultural practices. We cannot tolerate local courts conducting duties outside their jurisdiction.â€
The north-eastern UPDF intelligence officer, Maj. Bob Ogik, said they would continue to crackdown on warriors who had committed killings as far as a decade ago.
“The era of murdering with impunity in Karamoja is long overdue. Justice has to prevail. No stone will be left unturned,†he vowed.
Obbo explained that due to the reduction of guns in the region as a result of the ongoing disarmament process, gun-related killings had reduced.
“The killings we are experiencing are crime-related. There are still some Karimojong who think killing a cow is a graver crime than killing a human being,†Obbo said.
A total of 22 Karimojong warriors suspected of murder have been arrested in a joint operation by the army and the Police in the last one month.
The suspects, most of whom were netted in gun-related crimes, would be tried for aggravated murder in the ongoing Court Martial at Moroto army barracks, a statement said.
Some of the suspects were notorious criminals on the wanted list since 2007, said the statement issued by the UPDF 3rd Division spokesman, Capt. Henry Obbo, on Tuesday.
“The subsequent operation will consider the arrest of Karimojong involved in the settlement of murder cases in the unconstitutional local courts popularly known as etem. Elders chairing the etem have sanctioned extra-judicial killings and confined people in unlawful detention centres, especially in Nakapiripirit district,†Obbo said.
“We respect the Karimojong traditions but the Constitution is clear on unlawful cultural practices. We cannot tolerate local courts conducting duties outside their jurisdiction.â€
The north-eastern UPDF intelligence officer, Maj. Bob Ogik, said they would continue to crackdown on warriors who had committed killings as far as a decade ago.
“The era of murdering with impunity in Karamoja is long overdue. Justice has to prevail. No stone will be left unturned,†he vowed.
Obbo explained that due to the reduction of guns in the region as a result of the ongoing disarmament process, gun-related killings had reduced.
“The killings we are experiencing are crime-related. There are still some Karimojong who think killing a cow is a graver crime than killing a human being,†Obbo said.