A total of 11 Karimojong cattle rustlers were killed this week by the joint security force of UPDF and Police carrying out disarmament operations in Karamoja region.
Micheal Longole, the Karamoja regional Police spokesperson revealed the development to the media during an interview on Sunday.
He noted that the Joint security team also recovered 9 guns and 113 rounds of ammunition. Longole says the rustlers killed five civilians and injured three UPDF soldiers.
He further explained that security recovered 714 cattle and 267 goats from the rustlers, while 45 rustlers were arrested and will appear before courts to answer charges of illegal possession of firearms.
Longole said this brings the total number of guns and ammunition recovered to 201 and 2,476 ammunition since 17th, July, 2021 when the current ongoing disarmament operation was launched.
He said the general situation has relatively calmed adding that the security deployment in Karamoja has since been doubled.
“We are now taking vigorous means of dealing with the insecurity in Karamoja and these rustlers seem to have noticed because we are tired of begging them,” he said.
Joel Akorio, one of the former cattle rustlers and a resident of Acholin village in Moroto Municipality said the current high cost of living was the route cause of cattle raiding.
“The problem government is not honest, because they pick guns from people and they don’t even offer any project to support those who hand over the guns,” he added.
Marry Nakiru, another resident said ending insecurity in Karamoja is very simple if government works together with stake holders.
“This insecurity in Karamoja is benefiting many people and it explains why the situation is not ending,” added Nakiru.
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