A firearm allegedly linked to cross-district cattle raids in northern Uganda has been recovered in Kotido District following a joint operation by the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and the UPDF Victor Battalion, as security forces intensify disarmament efforts in the Karamoja sub-region.
The recovery was made in Kacheri Sub-County after intelligence indicated that the weapon had been used in attacks across Karenga, Kitgum, and Agago districts. According to Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson Mike Longole, the SMG rifle, No. 33785 (BC), with one round of ammunition, was surrendered on June 2, 2026, at around 4:30 pm by a suspect identified as John Loken of Lochor-Apolon Village.
The surrender followed an earlier operation conducted on June 1, 2026, at 6:00 am, during which ASTU and UPDF impounded 29 head of cattle from the same village. Security agencies said intelligence linked Loken and other suspects still at large to the use of the firearm in terrorising communities in Kitgum, Karenga, and Agago. Longole said the suspect later handed over the weapon to joint security forces through Labeja Ensio, a former LC3 candidate for Kapeta Sub-County, after the cattle impoundment operation.
The 29 animals have since been returned to their rightful owners, while the recovered firearm has been secured for further investigation and management. Longole said disarmament operations are ongoing across the Karamoja sub-region and urged continued cooperation from communities. “We appreciate community members and elders for ensuring illegal firearms are surrendered. We urge those still in possession of illegal guns to do the same before security forces come for them,” he said.
The recovery marks the second firearm retrieved in Kacheri Town Council within a week through cattle impoundment operations. Security forces say a similar strategy recently led to the recovery of a PKM machine gun allegedly stolen from a military installation in Karenga District-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
