Africa-Press – Uganda. UPDF |KARAMOJA|CATTLE RUSTLING
There is no need to rearm some groups to fend off cattle rustling in Karamoja region.
David Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defences Forces (UPDF), said doing so could undo efforts by the government to pacify the region.”Whatever the residual security issues there, I don’t see the need,” he said. “We don’t support putting guns in the hands of private persons. There are some issues, but those can be dealt with.”Muhoozi made the comments while addressing the country in a meeting of security chiefs at Uganda Police headquarters at Naguru over the weekend.Government carried out the disarmament of Karamoja between 2001 and 2010, recovering more than 40,000 illegal arms.This helped bring to an end the armed cattle raids. There have also been marked economic progress in the region, with several businesses including hotels such as Africana setting up shop there.However, a surprising upsurge in raids by rustlers is threatening to undo that progress. Some of the affected areas include Moroto, Kotido, Napak and Kaabong.The raids reportedly started last year and have resulted in calls for rearmament of a few group to act as buffers against especially the Pokot from Kenya.
