By KT Reporter
A section of leaders in the Karamoja sub-region has urged the government to revive security meetings to curb the threats of gun violence as the political season approaches.
The leaders expressed concerns over the increasing cases of gun violence targeting especially the political leaders. They said that the remaining few illegal arms in the hands of warriors have started causing instability in the region, with political leaders becoming a target.
For instance, last month, the LCIII Chairpersons from the sub-counties of Natirai and Lolachat in Nabilatuk district were shot and injured by unknown armed men. The two were ambushed when riding a motorcycle along the Lolachat road. The situation is predicted to worsen as political tensions heat up in the region.
The leaders say that they want the peace meetings to be revived to provide a platform for leaders and the communities to discuss conflict resolution and promote peace ahead of the general elections.
Angelo Pulkol, who is vying for the position of the LCV for Moroto district, expressed his fears that the insecurity is likely to return because leaders may not condemn the act for fear of losing votes.
Pulkol revealed always during the political period, warriors tend to take advantage of politics to carry out dubious activities, knowing that they are protected by the leaders.
He also observed that some criminals may have been hired by the politicians to frustrate the activities of their opponents.
Pulkol revealed that he has been getting calls threatening him after he announced his interest in contesting for the district chairperson.
Pulkol appealed to the government to consider supporting and reviving the community peace dialogues to ensure peace during political sessions.
Emmanuel Longes, the LCIII Chairperson of Lorengedwat Sub County in Nabilatuk district, emphasised the need for the leaders to condemn criminality in their communities.
Longes said that the political season has come at a time when the region has just realised some relative peace. He observed that the has not fully stabilized and there are high chances of backsliding if not handled with care amidst the political season.
Longes said that the sub-county chairpersons have been targeted by the warriors, and now this political season makes them more vulnerable and exposed to security threats.
He urged the joint security forces to summon all the local leaders to discuss how best they can handle the security situation and ensure safety for the leaders.
John Bosco Akore, the Secretary for Kotido Elders Council, said that they are summoning all the political leaders and those planning to contest to meet with the elders for security reasons.
Akore said that they have today convened a meeting at Lomus, one of the biggest traditional shrines, to warn the leaders to desist from using warriors for their political interests.
Akore revealed that the elders will decide later on the leaders who failed to turn up for the meeting.
He said that they have received several concerns about some individuals who are threatening their opponents.
Mark Aol Musoka, the Moroto Assistant Resident District Commissioner, said that they are currently experiencing relative peace with no cases of gun violence reported.
Musoka observed that there are only a few individuals who have taken cattle rustling as a livelihood of which the security forces are working hard to deal with.
Musoka said that the peace-building initiatives are always frustrated by the community, who conceal the information about the wrong elements they live with in the same area.
He emphasised the need to consistently carry out peace dialogues and continuous disarmament operations.
Musoka added that the district security committee, together with the Joint Security forces, is working hard to remove the illegal guns, which are now used to cause instability.
Last month, Brig Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, the UPDF 3rd Division commander, cautioned leaders against misleading reformed warriors. Sserunkuma also vowed to continue with the disarmament operations against illegal firearms until the region fully reclaims its peace and sanity-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
