40 guns recovered in the last 10 days across Karamoja sub-region

The Joint Security Forces in Karamoja Sub-region have recovered 40 guns and arrested more suspects.

On the afternoon of 25th May 2022, six illegal guns were from Loptuk Sub-county in Moroto and Nakapiripirit Districts bringing to 40, the total number o9f illegal guns and 192 rounds of ammunition recovered since 16th May 2022.

“Such separate recoveries and previous ones are positive energy and tireless efforts by Commanders, intelligence and troops who are conducting simultaneous Cordon and Search Operations, effecting deployments in towns and suspected corridors to pacify the Sub-region,”   said Brig Gen David Mugisha, the Second in Command of 3 Infantry Division.

The Commandant Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Commissioner of Police, Elias Kasirabo also stressed that the forces will maintain and sustain the operational tempo, before lauding the forces and local leadership for the right course so far.

The Regional Police Commander, for Mt Moroto, SSP Francis Chemusto attributed the success to a well-coordinated intelligence network.

“The operations were intelligence-led targeting prime suspects from Nadunget Market, whom we interviewed and managed to make recoveries peacefully,” he said.

In a period of 10 days, the intensified Cordon and Search Operations across nine districts of Karamoja Sub-region, the Joint Security Forces have been able to arrest 3,592 suspects, screened and released 2,298 persons, prosecuted and remanded 396. Whereas 898 suspects are still in custody and 22 pieces of armed forces uniforms recovered.

He cited the guiding law, Section 286 of the Penal Code Act (PCA) for possible prosecution.

” Cases of robbery and murder by some of these criminals due to deadly weapons will be taken on and charged with compounding a felony,” said SSP Chemusto.

He added, “We continue to exercise transparency during screening to come up with real suspects who were committing crimes.”

On his part, the Regional Police Commander for Kidepo, SSP Dauda Hiriga, noted that upon completion of investigations, the suspects will be charged with offences related to illegal possession of government stores.

The commanders noted that since full-scale Cordon and Search Operations were re-energized and enhanced, there has been a drop in cases of cattle rustling.

In the execution of operations, the forces adhere to the principles of legality and proportionality in the promotion of human rights standards, including suspects’ rights to food, respect and protection among others.

The joint security forces comprising Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and ASTU have recent intensified target, Cordon and Search operations in order to arrest and prosecute criminals who have been terrorizing innocent people, breaking stealing household items and abducting shepherds.

The operations are also intended to recover illegal guns and ammunition from criminal elements across Karamoja Sub-region.