80 warriors killed as army recovers 600 guns
Jun 21, 2009
THE UPDF has killed 80 warriors and recovered 622 guns with 4,295 bullets in the last six months in Karamoja.
By Olandason Wanyama
THE UPDF has killed 80 warriors and recovered 622 guns with 4,295 bullets in the last six months in Karamoja.
The 3rd Division spokesperson, Capt. Henry Obbo, on Thursday said: “UPDF has killed warriors who do not respond to our orders when we go for cordon and search operations in the villages.â€
Obbo added that the army also killed warriors in ambushes and during raids.
“We killed 22 warriors in the last three weeks. This has been the biggest number in Moroto and Kotido districts,†he said.
He added that the army also recovered 143 guns this month.
Obbo said the army would continue killing warriors who defy their orders.
“We shall also continue collecting guns so that the sub- region is rid of illegal guns,†he said.
Obbo promised that the army would maintain the prevailing peace in the region and do away with all security threats.
He said they were stopping warriors from killing civilians, adding that those who are doing so would also be killed. “Killing a civilian is tantamount to committing suicide.â€
He criticised past governments for mismanaging the disarmament operations in Karamoja.
“The governments lacked procedure and political will. They rounded off the Karimojong and killed them,â€Obbo said.
He added that such violence made the Karimojong wild and now they treat every body as an enemy.
In 2002, the Government launched a peaceful disarmament process for Karamoja. But in two years, only 670 guns were surrendered, according to the UPDF.
Consequently, the army launched the on-going cordon and search operations to recover the illegal guns.
Meanwhile, in an interview with The New Vision, Obbo said some local leaders were sabotaging the disarmament exercise.
The UPDF 3rd Division command is holding the LC3 chairpersons for both Rupa sub-county in Moroto district and Kotido sub-county in Kotido for allegedly supporting crime in the region.
He said the two chairpersons would be treated like warriors because they were anti-development.
Obbo said the chairpersons would soon face the court martial. “It seems these people want Karamoja to remain in confusion for their own benefit.â€
Obbo appealed to the communities to be cooperative and always report cattle raids in time and give all the necessary information.
THE UPDF has killed 80 warriors and recovered 622 guns with 4,295 bullets in the last six months in Karamoja.
The 3rd Division spokesperson, Capt. Henry Obbo, on Thursday said: “UPDF has killed warriors who do not respond to our orders when we go for cordon and search operations in the villages.â€
Obbo added that the army also killed warriors in ambushes and during raids.
“We killed 22 warriors in the last three weeks. This has been the biggest number in Moroto and Kotido districts,†he said.
He added that the army also recovered 143 guns this month.
Obbo said the army would continue killing warriors who defy their orders.
“We shall also continue collecting guns so that the sub- region is rid of illegal guns,†he said.
Obbo promised that the army would maintain the prevailing peace in the region and do away with all security threats.
He said they were stopping warriors from killing civilians, adding that those who are doing so would also be killed. “Killing a civilian is tantamount to committing suicide.â€
He criticised past governments for mismanaging the disarmament operations in Karamoja.
“The governments lacked procedure and political will. They rounded off the Karimojong and killed them,â€Obbo said.
He added that such violence made the Karimojong wild and now they treat every body as an enemy.
In 2002, the Government launched a peaceful disarmament process for Karamoja. But in two years, only 670 guns were surrendered, according to the UPDF.
Consequently, the army launched the on-going cordon and search operations to recover the illegal guns.
Meanwhile, in an interview with The New Vision, Obbo said some local leaders were sabotaging the disarmament exercise.
The UPDF 3rd Division command is holding the LC3 chairpersons for both Rupa sub-county in Moroto district and Kotido sub-county in Kotido for allegedly supporting crime in the region.
He said the two chairpersons would be treated like warriors because they were anti-development.
Obbo said the chairpersons would soon face the court martial. “It seems these people want Karamoja to remain in confusion for their own benefit.â€
Obbo appealed to the communities to be cooperative and always report cattle raids in time and give all the necessary information.