Museveni assures Acholi of ending cattle raids

In Summary
  • Government committed to ending cattle raids perpetrated by
    Karamojong cattle rustlers.
President Museveni meeting with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otukedistrict.
President Museveni meeting with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otukedistrict.
Image: PPU

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured the people of the Acholi sub-region of the government’s commitment to end cattle raids perpetrated by Karamojong cattle rustlers.

“I want to assure all of you that this problem will be solved because most of the issues you have raised, I know their potential and limitations,” the President confirmed.

President Museveni who is in the Northern Region of the country to assess and find solutions to the cattle raids by the Karamojong cattle raiders made the assurance at a meeting with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otuke district.

Leaders invited included Members of Parliament from the Acholi sub-region, Cultural Leaders led by the Paramount Chief Rwot David Onen Acana II, religious leaders, RDCs and RCCs, LC 5 Chairpersons, other political leaders as well as the opinion and historical leaders.

President Museveni in a group photograph with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otuke district.
President Museveni in a group photograph with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otuke district.
Image: ppu

President Museveni in response to one of the contributors from Adilang, who pointed out that the security agencies were not following the raiders seriously once reported, clarified that the person following is always at a disadvantage as the raider can at his will decide to ambush persons who are following them. He further noted that the same can also happen to the Local Defence Units(LDUs).

Museveni added that during the war with Lord Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony, this presented a challenge as the rebels could decide to ambush anyone following them.“We were only able to defeat Kony when we introduced gunships because we could pass the ambushes and would engage them accordingly. You calm down, I am here, and this problem will be solved,” the President said.

One of the elders Mr.Okwera pointed out that the problem had existed since 1954 and was exacerbated in 1979 following the overthrow of Idi Amin regime when the Karamojong seized the opportunity to loot all types of guns from the Armory of Moroto Army Barracks.

President Museveni in a meeting with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otukedistrict.
President Museveni in a meeting with leaders from Acholi sub-region whom he invited to Baralegi State Lodge, Okwang sub-county in Otukedistrict.
Image: PPU

The President said no government after that was able to retrieve guns from the Karamojong except the National Resistance Movement (NRM) that embarked on the disarmament exercise and removed over 40,000 guns from the Karamojong.“ At the time it was overthrown Obote's army had only 8, 000 soldiers while Amin's had only 20,000 soldiers but you hear now we were able to remove 41,000 guns from the Karamojong,” Museveni responded.

The President said the peace in the region only came into existence following the removal of guns from the Karamojong. He also noted that cattle rustling was an old problem that resurfaced because of some weaknesses on the part of the security agencies that failed to properly package ways of dealing with the issue. He, however, assured the nation that the problem will be solved again and pledged to visit the area again in June to update them on the progress .“I promise to come back in June then you people will either say I am a person of ‘Goba’ (Lies) or I will say you people of little faith as Jesus used to tell his disciples,” said Museveni.