Fifth Infantry Division Commander Brig William Bainomugisha says the frequent incursion of bandits from South Sudan into Uganda is a result of a large number of illegal guns in the hands of locals following the long civil unrest.
Four South Sudanese have been held over illegal intrusion and possession
of firearms in Ugandan territory.
The suspects were arrested by Uganda People's Defence Forces -UPDF soldiers
from Lucom village in Okuti Parish, Orom East Sub-county, in Kitgum District on
Saturday. They reportedly crossed in the country from Eastern Equatoria state.
Kitgum Resident District Commissioner William Komakech says the suspects were
intercepted in a foiled cattle raid after the army was alerted of their
incursion.
Komakech says the suspects were found in possession of one Sub machine gun-SMG
and two Mark Five Guns loaded with unspecified rounds of ammunition.
//cue in: “About three days…
Cue out:…in our custody.”//
Komakech notes that the suspects are being detained at an undisclosed location
adding that they are liaising with their counterparts in South Sudan on how to
peacefully release them.
He says the peaceful release of the suspects is one of the ways the two
neighboring countries are trying to promote co-existence.
According to Komakech, the gesture is one way of ensuring that the culprits reform
without being subjected to harsh punishment in Uganda that may derail peaceful approaches
along with the common border point.
//cue in: “we are trying…
Cue out:…realize their weakness.”//
Fifth Infantry Division Commander Brig William Bainomugisha says the frequent
incursion of bandits from South Sudan into Uganda is a result of a large number
of illegal guns in the hands of locals following the long civil unrest.
Brig Bainomugisha also reiterated that the army along with the leadership in
Kitgum will engage their neighbors diplomatically to ensure the suspects are
safely released.
The arrest of the suspects comes just three months after Kitgum security
authorities released 15 armed South Sudanese bandits who were intercepted in
January also in a botched revenge attack.
Two of the suspects were arrested from Palabek Ogili sub-county in Lamwo
district armed with two guns and grenades while 13 were apprehended in Orom Sub
County, with five guns. The Guns were however retained with the security
personnel for further investigation before they are destroyed.
In a bilateral security meeting held in Orom Sub-county, between Ugandan and
South Sudanese security and government officials, the two countries agreed to
jointly fight the illegal infiltration of south Sudanese bandits along the
common international border
