UPDF recover guns and livestock from armed warriors

The 45 Infantry Battalion of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) operating under 3 Division recovered two guns and thirty three (33) heads of cattle from armed warriors.

Sub Machine Guns (SMG) number 39101 with seven live rounds of ammunition and 87009 with seven rounds of ammunition were forcefully recovered from Dodoth warriors at Usake parish and Jie warriors at Kakamar respectively in Kaabong District.

“Today’s arms and livestock scores bring a total of operation achievement to 776 guns, 4,817 live rounds of ammunition and over 34,000 livestock recovered and handed over to rightful owners since 13 Jul 2021, when Operation ‘Usalama Kwa Wote’ was launched at 3 Division headquarters, Moroto army barracks,” noted the Commander of the UPDF 3 Division Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe.

Jie-armed warriors had stolen 33 heads of cattle from the grazing area near Kaabong Prisons and headed towards Kakamar where our own force of 45 Infantry Battalion directed by Lt Col Gaston Mugarura, the commanding Officer intercepted and decisively recovered all cows after a fruitful fire exchange.

The interception and successful ambush in Kakamar and Usake areas gives a blow and strong warning as cattle rustlers continue to suffer losses.

Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, added that a number of cattle thefts have been foiled and joint security forces remain committed to securing all the Main Supply Routes to guarantee safe movement of persons and service delivery across the subregion.

He commended the tireless efforts from joint security forces and key stakeholders for the strides so far achieved and creating conducive conditions towards socio-economic transformation of Karamoja Sub Region.

The ongoing ‘Usalama Kwa Wote’ operation loosely translated as “Peace for All” aims at recovering illegal guns, stolen livestock, apprehend and prosecute armed cattle rustlers (warriors) in order to pacify Karamoja Sub region as well as maintain security in the neighboring sub regions of Acholi, Bugisu, Lango, Sebei and Teso. By Ali Ssewanyana