UGANDA – The Commander of the UPDF 3 Infantry Division in Moroto Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe has today re-echoed government concerns against the illegal possession of small arms and light weapons in the hands of the civilian population.
He revealed this while showcasing part of the recovered guns from the Turkana, Toposa, Matheniko, Bokora, Pokot, and Jee; livestock warriors at Moroto barracks.
Brig Gen Balikudembe noted that experts from the Uganda Police Force will perform a fingerprinting exercise on the recovered guns as earlier directed by the President and Commander in Chief of UPDF Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
He added that this will reduce the chances of re-using the same guns by unscrupulous individuals for future raids or other criminal acts.
The 3 Division Commander also remarked that the non-usable, rusty, and old-fashioned guns will be kept in UPDF archives for future reference. While those still in good condition will be backloaded to other divisions.
Unfortunately, the owners of the forcefully recovered guns will be prosecuted in the General Court Martial and their sentences pronounced.
After serving their sentences, the reformed former warriors will be re-integrated into the community through other sister ministries, departments of Uganda, and development partners.
This comes at a point when the Government of Uganda is on a mission to disarm the Karimojong cattle rustlers in the cattle corridor of the Karamoja region.
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