At least 621 firearms have been recovered by the joint security forces since they launched the 3rd phase of the disarmament exercise in Karamoja sub-region.
The 3rd phase of the disarmament exercise started on July 17th, 2021.
Micheal Longole, the Karamoja Regional Police spokesperson, says that the firearms were recovered using several approaches including cordon and search operations, direct contact between the forces and rusttlers, and intelligence-led operations.
He says that aid within the same time, the forces managed to recover 3,907 ammunitions from the rusttlers.
He added that one hundred rustlers were killed in action and 18,002 were arrested and 2,793 warriors appeared in court. Longole also revealed that 29,533 cattle, goats, sheep, and donkeys were recovered.
“We are on top of the situation and we are glad to report that the incidents of cattle rustling have scaled down due to our intensified operations,” he said.
Mathew Lokongo, a resident of Kakolye ward in Moroto Municipality urged the forces to continue pursuing dialogue so that the remaining warriors hand over their guns peacefully.
“We have lost a big number of youths to cattle rustling and this is so dangerous for the generation of Karamoja,” he said. Timothy Lobucel, another resident of Ngoleriet sub-county in Napak district demanded the disarmament review to know the success of the exercise.