By Frank Kamuntu
The joint security team of Uganda yesterday handed over livestock (91 cows and 12 Donkeys) to Turkana pastoralists after they surrendered two guns to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) in Moroto District.
This follows a recent encounter between the 403 Infantry Brigade with armed Turkana herdsmen in the areas of Naput along the Uganda-Kenya borderline in late September 2023.
During the encounter, the Turkana ran back to their territory leaving behind 91 heads of cattle and 12 Donkeys. They were later given a condition by security commanders to hand over guns used before getting back the cows.
Col Richard Obura Kidega, the 403 Infantry Brigade Commander who represented the 3 Division Commander, said that following the killing of the geologists, the Turkana authorities are required to present the killers to their Ugandan counterparts for prosecution and justice.
Col Kidega, emphasized that executive order No.3 of 2023 and directives on operations against armed nomadism which was issued by the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni still stands and the joint security forces are steadfast in implementing the order.
On 4 October 23, the Turkana led by the community elder Mr. Nyilimo Nakuon a resident of Lokiriama, brought 02 guns which were received on 11 October by the senior security leaders in Moroto.
Hon. Koryang David, the Chairperson of Moroto District Local Government expressed gratitude to UPDF for handing over the cattle to the Turkana and the Turkana for responding to the set conditions to surrender the guns. He urged the Turkana to respect the laws of Uganda and challenged them to team up and trace for killers of geologists who are believed to be at large.
The Kenya Liaison Officer to Uganda, Maj Abdullah Kalicha noted that the Kenyan authorities continue to trace the killers of the geologists. He emphasized that the Turkana County authorities will continue to sensitize the pastoralists on the risks of gun trafficking.
Present at the ceremony were Local Leaders, Senior Military Officers and the Community from both Uganda and Turkana County.
On 22 March 2023, three Ugandan geologists who were on a routine mapping in Moroto District were violently killed alongside two UPDF soldiers in an ambush.
