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By Timothy Eodu
The 3Division commander, Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa has urged leaders in Karamoja to pass and enforce a resolution on forceful enrolment of children to school in order to fight criminality in the region.
Nabbasa made the remarks while preceding over the handover and taking over of office of Deputy 3Division Commander by Brig. Gen Felix Busizoori and Col. Wilberforce Sserenkuma Karate respectively.
The 3Division Commander stressed that local leaders and security forces must work together to end criminality in Karamoja by putting in place resolutions that will see every school going age child in Karamoja enrolled in empty primary schools scattered all over the sub Region.
“Presently, majority of the children in Manyattas are Shepherds which we must all fight against,” he said, sighting Lopei Primary school where only two (2) children sat for PLE in 2023.
Commandant ASTU, SCP Elias Kassirabo said that, Col Wilberforce Sserenkuma is not a new person to Karamoja Terrain, as he already knows all gymnastics in the area.
Kassirabo mentioned that as UPF, they pledge to work together with Sserunkuma in the way they have worked with Brig. Gen Felix Busizoori, adding that there is now relative peace in Karamoja compared to two years ago.
“Now we just meet to appreciate our selves for good Job we have done,” he added.
Hon. Felix Mark Lochaale, LCV Karenga who spoke on behalf of the other LCVs urged that dialogue, team work and Disarmament are the ways to go if they are to fight criminality in Karamoja.
Lochaale thanked the 3Division administration for organising Karamoja leader’s orientation course in Kawaweta which helped them to sharpen their leadership skills in fighting the ongoing cattle rustling.
Mr. Onoria Ambrose, chief whip for RDCs in Karamoja Sub Region thanked security agencies for the prevailing peace. He said what they all need is to have tolerance and put a lot of energy to completely wipe out the few isolated cases of crime which are still being reported in the sub Region.
In attendance were joint leaders from the security forces, Resident District Commissioners from the nine districts of Karamoja, Chairmen LC Vs and other local leaders. They wished Brig. Gen Felix Busizoori, a safe journey to 4Division as Division commander.
On the other hand, the Mt. Moroto Region police spokesperson, IP Michael Longole has urged the local communities to preserve the scenes of crime because it is the factor hampering their efforts to truck down criminal elements in Rupa Sub-County in Moroto.
Longole stated that in all the incidents (killing of over four people within one week) last week, community members rushed to the scene and this made their canine unit unable to work perfectly.
“If the scenes of all the killings were not tampered with, our teams could have tracked and possibly arrested those criminal elements by now. The community needs to preserve such areas so that we can use the canine dog to identify these people,” he told karamojanews on phone.
The spokesperson also added that the joint security forces will engage in community policing around the affected areas to create awareness, increase both motorized and foot patrols to secure road users and locals.
The incident
Suspected warriors who escaped arrest during security operations to crack down the increasing criminality in Lotisan Sub County have allegedly reorganized and resumed serious attacks on road users and community members.
Between Thursday and Sunday last week, four people were ambushed and killed by suspected armed warriors in Rupa and Katikekile sub-counties. For instance, on Saturday at around 4:30 pm, the armed warriors ambushed and shot at cyclists along Nakiloro-Kakingol Road in Katikekile Sub County.
Simon Tukon Angella, aged 28, a passenger, was shot dead, while Loupe Lochodo, a 20-year-old rider, sustained injuries and is admitted to Moroto Regional Referral Hospital. On Sunday morning, another cyclist who also operated a salon business in Nakiloro trading center was ambushed and killed, and his properties looted.
