By KT Reporter
Joint security forces are hunting for the suspected cattle rustler whose firearm was recovered in the Moroto district.
On Monday, the joint security force conducted an intelligence-led operation that led to the recovery of an SMG rifle with 3 rounds of ammunition in Namijimij village, Nadunget sub-county.
Mike Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson, said the recovery was made on April 21, 2025, after a joint intelligence-led operation by security personnel.
Longole said that the SMG Riffle Reg No. 2648 firearm is now in their custody. He said that they are coordinating with the members of the public to hunt down the owner of the gun, whose identity has been withheld.
Longole noted that the firearm has been among the few that are still in the community and used for causing isolated cases of murders and attacks.
He reiterated that the joint forces are doing everything possible to ensure that the prevailing peace is maintained at a high level to allow the residents to go to the gardens to cultivate as rains resume.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the local community in this operation and urge continued collaboration in maintaining peace and security in the region, “Longole said.
Meanwhile, the leaders have called upon the security forces to continue with the enforcement of the disarmament operations despite the calm peace experienced.
They recommended that disarmament in the region should be a continuous process, given the nature of the region with its porous borders with armed neighbouring countries such as Kenya and South Sudan.
The Bishop of Karamoja Diocese Emeritus, Rt. Rev Joseph Abura described the current relative peace as a pause with a possibility of insecurity resurfacing.
Abura noted that peace in the region keeps undulating, and the silence in gun violence indicates that there is an ongoing secret rearming.
Abura said that the security forces are aware of people who still have guns in the community, but they find it hard to disarm them. He urged the forces not to relax due to the current relative peace but instead to continue with the enforcement.
Abura also observed that the government should consider introducing mindset disarmament for everyone in Karamoja to permanently end the problem of gun violence.
Mark Aol Musoka, the Moroto Assistant Resident District Commissioner, said that the current security situation is calm despite the fragile internal security situation that is fragile.
Musoka noted that most of the people involved in the cattle theft are born in the illegal the government is struggling to eliminate. He said that the wrong elements have continued rearming themselves from the neighbouring armed communities of Pokot, Turkana in Kenya, and others in South Sudan.
Musoka said that there should be consistent disarmament exercises to make sure that the warriors do not get any chance of owning an illegal firearm. He added that they are still registering isolated cases of cattle theft amidst the calm situation.
Musoka noted lauded the community was proactive and they gave the information that has led to the arrest of several criminals who used to destabilise peace.
Musoka urged the leaders, security forces to continue playing their roles to pacify the region, and the community should continue being vigilant and reporting about the wrong elements who are disturbing the peace-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
