The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Commander Land Forces Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, says the UPDF will keep beefing up security in Karamoja sub region by deploying more forces in each of the nine districts ahead of a forceful disarmament next month.
Gen. Muhoozi says the Ministry of Defence has already supplied armored and air support to the region, neutralizing cattle thefts as wells as contributing to the disarmament exercise and more personnel will be brought to the region.
He says the forceful disarmament will come because the voluntary one yielded little fruit.
Lt. Gen Kainerugaba said that beefing up of the security in the region would continue as government consolidates on the already existing peace in the region. He says each district would receive at least a battalion on top of the air support, motorized infantry and improved surveillance.
This is in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s directives while meeting the leaders and top security at Morulinga, his regional presidential office. Lt. Gen Kainerugaba also encouraged the Karimojong leaders to stop fighting each.
He was speaking to Karamoja district leaders on Monday at the Brigade headquarters where the RDCs’, district chairpersons and senior UPDF officers held consultations and mapped a way forward to make the region more peaceful.
The Commander 3rd Infantry Division Brig. Gen. Joseph Balikudembe, observed that without peace in the region, development would only be a dream.
Brig. Gen. Zaake Okolong, the second in Command 3rd Division called upon the leaders and locals to report persons with illegal firearms such that insecurity is stamped out. Gen. Okolong said the UPDF was willing to cooperate with the leaders and peace lovers in the upcoming forceful disarmament.
Milton Odongo, the RDC for Nabilatuk district said the UPDF and sister security organizations should exert pressure on forceful disarmament. According to Odongo, the porous borders, poor communication network, and political failures among others had increased insecurity in the sub-region.
The Karenga district chairperson Felix Lochaale appreciated the ongoing disarmament noting that the voluntary disarmament has reduced livestock theft.
The Kotido district chairperson Paul Lote was appreciative of the current unity amongst leaders but underscored the fact that the region should embrace peaceful disarmament.
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