Four Guns recovered on day one of Karamoja disarmament exercise

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The army and the police have recovered four guns on the first day of the second disarmament exercise in Karamoja.

Brig Joseph Balikudembe the 3rd Division UPDF Commander told the media at UPDF army barracks on Saturday that the four guns were recovered in cordoned and search operations in Moroto and Kotido districts.

According to Brig Balikudembe, the army is still allowing those who want to hand over their guns peacefully.

The second disarmament exercise was requested by leaders in Karamoja after the region was thrown into another wave of cattle rustling and ambushes by suspected Karimojong warriors.

John Logiro a cross border peace activist however says the fresh disarmament would become meaningful if the army leadership had first collected all the guns from the Karamojong local Defence unity personnel.

Mathew Lokut one of the human rights activist however appealed to the forces to observe human rights during the disarmament. He says that the fresh disarmament shouldn’t become a painful exercise for innocent people who have never held a gun.

Samuel Abura another resident said much as disarmament is one solution to peace, there is a need for the government to dig deeper and find out why Karamojong believe the gun is the only source of wealth.

Last month, leaders from Karamoja called for an inclusive second disarmament process where the UPDF should involve elected and religious leaders, civil society and community leaders to minimize cases of human rights abuses.

During the first disarmament process that ushered in a window of peace for at least 10 years, there were reports that the UPDF soldiers used inhumane methods including torture that is illegal.

Residents reported having been tortured by soldiers to disclose where they kept the illegal guns. Some have allegedly suffered permanent disabilities and deformities while others reportedly died due to the alleged tortured.

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