The Uganda peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has recovered 22 guns and 90 rounds of ammunitions from the Karimojong cattle rustlers.
The 22 guns and 90 rounds of ammunition were recovered in October in the districts of Kween, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Nabilatuk,Moroto, Napak, Kotido, Abim, Kaabong and Karenga.
Major Peter Musgisa, the UPDF 3rd division spokesperson told daily monitor on Sunday that the guns and ammunitions were recovered through direct fire exchange between cattle rustlers and UPDF soldiers and also through search operations.
Major Mugisa added that some guns were recovered through intelligence led operation and peace meetings where the community reveals the names of criminals keeping guns.
“Last week, we got a woman carrying three magazines full of bullets so this shows you how criminality is now entering into the hands of women also,” he said.
According to Major Mugisa, for the last two weeks there has been no incident of cattle rustling or clashing between the army and the cattle rustlers in the entire Karamoja region due to increased army surveillance in the region.
“We are glad to report that for the last two weeks there was no single clashing between the army and the armed Karimojong cattle rustlers in the region because of increased army patrolling and deployment in the cattle corridors,” he said.
Karamoja for many years experienced violence and lawlessness due to the presence of illegal guns by the Karimojong which perpetuated cattle raiding and ambushing of vehicles within and outside the region.
