A Karamojong warrior surrendered an illegal firearm to a Catholic priest following intensified security operations in Kotido District. The SMG with 2 rounds of ammunition was recovered from Loware Acholiba, 32, a resident of Kanalobae Village, Kanalobae Parish, Maaru Sub-County.
According to police, the recovery followed intensified operations in Maaru and Kotido sub-counties. It is believed that the warrior was pressured by the ongoing security crackdown in the district. The suspect reportedly surrendered the weapon through Fr. Gabriel Angella, Catholic Priest of Kanawat Parish. The firearm was handed over to a security team led by Kotido Resident District Commissioner, Ichogor Charles.
Mike Longole, Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson, said the recovery is part of ongoing disarmament operations targeting armed criminal elements.
Longole noted that the suspect, along with others still at large, has been linked to the group that has been terrorizing Lokitelaebu Town Council, Maaru, Kamor, and Kotido sub-counties. “The criminal network extended into Kaabong, Agago, Abim, Kitgum, and Karenga districts,” Longole said. He added that the group is linked to armed robberies, commercial cattle raids, and illegal wildlife poaching.
“Our disarmament operations remain ongoing to track down remaining members of the criminal syndicate,” Longole warned.
Longole revealed that the suspect was released under the ongoing Presidential Amnesty, while the recovered gun has been taken to UPDF 43rd Battalion for further management. “We urge residents to take advantage of the Presidential Amnesty and voluntarily surrender illegal firearms through local leaders, clergy, or security personnel. Anyone with information on armed elements should report immediately to the nearest security detachment or local leader.
Community cooperation remains critical to restoring peace and protecting lives and livestock,” Longole said. Police said this brings the total number of guns recovered since disarmament operations began in Karamoja in 2021 to 1,445-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
