Over 378 illicit small arms and light weapons were destroyed and burned by the police Saturday in the Karamoja sub-region, the Northern region, the Rwenzori region, and the Kampala metropolitan area.
The police Saturday destroyed and burned up to 378 illicit small arms and light weapons recovered from the Karamoja sub-region, Northern region, Rwenzori region and Kampala metropolitan areas.
The demolition occurred at Panyangala sub-county Kotido municipality in Kotido district.
According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi who presided over the symbolic function, the exercise was aimed to restore peace across the country, especially in the Karamoja sub-region.
“You are all aware of the scourge of illegal weapons. Their illicit proliferation and use in various parts of Africa cause countless deaths, untold suffering, population displacement, disruption of livelihoods, disruption of infrastructure and economic activities.’’
Katsigazi said by removing these weapons from circulation, will help bring peace and stability. ‘’It is therefore central to realizing peace, security and stability in Uganda and the continent.’’
In addition, he said most of these weapons were being used in common crimes including murder, theft, road ambushes and grabbing, domestic violence, raiding and terrorism.
“All the above undermine efforts to realize the goal of creating free, integrated and prosperous Africa as envisioned in Agenda 2062. It should be recalled that the government put in place a mechanism to facilitate voluntary surrender of illicit weapons, in particular, the Amnesty Law supervised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the Amnesty Commission,’’ Katsigazi added.
In line with this, Katsigazi commended the people of Uganda more so those in the Karamojong region as well as the UPDF, UPF-ASTU and other sister forces for the endless efforts to curb the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region.
This, however, comes at a time when a number of images continue to make rounds on different social media platforms of Ugandans who are murdered in cold blood in Karamoja.
One notable incident happened in March when five dead bodies were recovered in Moroto District belonging to three geologists attached to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and two Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers who were attacked by suspected cattle rustlers in the Karamoja sub-region.
The geologists including one intern from Makerere University identified as Edna Musiime was killed alongside two UPDF officers who had accompanied them as they were conducting mineral mapping in the area.
Other victims were Richard Kiggwwe, the lead geologist and his colleague, Charles Olweny. They had been assigned to pick soil samples from Lokisilei village in Lotisan Sub County in Moroto District when they were suddenly attacked about 40 kilometres away from Moroto.
