Wednesday , November 6 2024

Turkana warriors surrender illegal gun in reward to get cattle

Security officers, local leaders and the Turkana pastoralists during a handover in Mogos holding ground. PHOTO URN

Mororto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Joint security forces on Friday handed over 121 heads of cattle to the Turkana herdsmen after they surrendered an illegal gun to the forces in Moroto district.

Sub-machine gun number UF5877 which the herdsmen possessed illegally was surrendered to Ugandan authorities through peaceful engagements.

On 26th, January, 2024 armed Turkana herdsmen crossed into the Ugandan territory with a herd of cattle that was grazing in Lotisan sub county, Moroto district. Security forces conducted an operation and impounded the livestock in order for the armed Turkana herdsmen to surrender illegal guns.

In the ceremony on Friday, Col. Richard Obura Kidega, the 403 Brigade  Commander who represented Maj. Gen Don William Nabasa, 3 Infantry Division Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) cautioned the herdsmen against entering Ugandan territory while armed.

Kidega directed the Turkana pastoralists to vacate from the Mogos grazing area and return to Orum location, Loima Sub County in Turkana County.

Kidega warned that the joint security forces will continue to enforce the Executive order No.3 of 19 May 23 and no Turkana pastoralists shall be allowed to enter into Karamoja with illegal firearms.

David Koryang, the LC 5 chairperson of Moroto district appealed to the Turkana pastoral community to respect the existing protocols enabling them to graze and co-exist harmoniously.

Koryang expressed his concerns about the Turkana pastoralists who have continued violating the Presidential executive order number 03 despite the security effort to flush them out of Karamoja.

He urged the Turkana pastoralists to stop crossing over to Karamoja side until the matters at hand are resolved amicably.

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URN

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