KAMPALA – Parliament has renewed calls for the Government to restore peace, security and stability in the Karamoja sub-region.
Dodoth East County MP, Hon. Samson Lokeris who moved the motion said that there is limited deployment of security forces as well as operational logistics for the forces deployed in the region.
“There is a pull out of UPDF soldiers in Karamoja sub-region where you will find a detach that has only three soldiers. LDUs were recruited to help soldiers with disarmament but they have since been integrated into the army leaving a gap,” said Lokeris.
He added that the forces in the area like the commanding officer of the 39th battalion in Kaabong, did not have transport to carry out surveillance in areas where cattle rustling is rampant which he says is a major cause of insecurity.
Abim Woman MP, Hon. Janet Okori-Moe who seconded the motion said that porous borders and an increasing number of locals with arms had exacerbated insecurity.
“We thank Government for carrying out disarmament exercises but rearmament has resumed in Karamoja. Locals now have guns and are attacking other people’s cattle,” said Okori-Moe.
She added that Government needs to deploy security forces strategically at the border points in the region so as curb the current insecurity adding that the perpetrators were well known.
Hon. Rose Lilly Akello said that the deployment of more security personnel ought to be accompanied with sufficient logistics to carry out patrols in the region.
The Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Adolf Mwesige told the House that Government has already deployed the UPDF and LDU officers to brigade level in a bid to avert insecurity in the region and curb external attacks.
“Regional mechanisms like the establishment of liaison offices have also enhanced cross-border communication which has checked on cattle raids and coordinated return of stolen animals,” Mwesige said adding that, “Uganda Wildlife Authority has also deployed intelligence teams at suspected rustling routes”.
The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah said that concerns on the region’s insecurity had been for a long time which indicated the urgency of the matter.
“This motion has brought all these issues together and I want to advise our colleagues to monitor the implementation on the ground as we wait for Government to report on action taken on what we have adopted in this motion,” said Oulanyah.