Cattle rustlers get new tricks
Jul 26, 2010
KARIMOJONG warriors have changed tactics by kidnapping children and forcing them to escort animals grabbed in cattle raids, putting the security forces in a dilemma.
By Olandason Wanyama
KARIMOJONG warriors have changed tactics by kidnapping children and forcing them to escort animals grabbed in cattle raids, putting the security forces in a dilemma.
The UPDF 3rd Division spokesperson, Capt. Henry Obbo, on Sunday said the children, especially boys of a tender age, have increasingly got involved in gun-related crime.
In the recent past, Obbo added, the army had rescued several children in cattle raids and handed them over to Mbale remand home for rehabilitation.
“During cattle thefts, it’s purely the children who now drive cattle. They also carry guns and fire at the army,†Obbo explained.
He added that during handovers, juveniles often claim the livestock recovered by the soldiers.
Obbo also said sometimes the children, under the influence of the elderly, deliberately become unruly and move on to grab the recovered cattle before the official handover.
Recently, the UPDF has been under serious criticism for failure to protect children during conflict situations during the disarmament exercise.
However, juveniles continue getting involved in gun-related offences, forcing the army to disable them.
A total of 42 juveniles have been set free after being tried by the court martial in the last one year in Karamoja.Obbo appealed to the elders to stop involving children in gun-related issues because the act undermines their rights.
“Allow the children to go to school so that they can look after themselves in the future,†he said. Obbo further urged the local leaders to sensitise the communities about children rights.
KARIMOJONG warriors have changed tactics by kidnapping children and forcing them to escort animals grabbed in cattle raids, putting the security forces in a dilemma.
The UPDF 3rd Division spokesperson, Capt. Henry Obbo, on Sunday said the children, especially boys of a tender age, have increasingly got involved in gun-related crime.
In the recent past, Obbo added, the army had rescued several children in cattle raids and handed them over to Mbale remand home for rehabilitation.
“During cattle thefts, it’s purely the children who now drive cattle. They also carry guns and fire at the army,†Obbo explained.
He added that during handovers, juveniles often claim the livestock recovered by the soldiers.
Obbo also said sometimes the children, under the influence of the elderly, deliberately become unruly and move on to grab the recovered cattle before the official handover.
Recently, the UPDF has been under serious criticism for failure to protect children during conflict situations during the disarmament exercise.
However, juveniles continue getting involved in gun-related offences, forcing the army to disable them.
A total of 42 juveniles have been set free after being tried by the court martial in the last one year in Karamoja.Obbo appealed to the elders to stop involving children in gun-related issues because the act undermines their rights.
“Allow the children to go to school so that they can look after themselves in the future,†he said. Obbo further urged the local leaders to sensitise the communities about children rights.