The leaders have demanded that the convicts be properly screened and taken to the counselling Centre for ideological and mindset training before integrating them into the community.
Leaders in the Karamoja sub-region want the convicted warriors and those serving
their sentences in various prisons to be taken for ideological training after they
are released from jail.
Over, 4000 Karamojong warriors arrested during Usalama
Kwa Wote operations have been convicted of various offences ranging from
illegal possession of firearms to murder, and cattle rustling. The majority of
the convicts are between 15 and 30 years old.
Recently the leaders in the
Karamoja appealed to the President to release
the convicts stating that the warriors have reformed and should be given a
chance to reunite with their families.
However, it is reported that President
Museveni had directed the Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to assess
the possibility of pardoning 900 Karamojong youth imprisoned at the Kitalya Prison.
The leaders say that the convicts be properly screened
and taken to the counselling Centre for ideological and mindset training before integrating
them into the community.
Paul Lokol, the LCV Chairperson of Nabilatuk district said
that he has been at the forefront advocating for the release of the Karachunas.
Lokol said that most of the youth were rounded up during a cordon and
search operation when they had not committed a crime. He observed that the hardcore criminals who were handed over to the
security forces by the community should not be released to avoid revenge
attacks.
He said that the government should use the presidential industrial hub
as an assembling centre for the warriors.
Lokol warned that if the warriors were released without any support, the
warriors would reorganize and start a serious attack on the community.
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Christopher Lolem, the LC III Chairperson of Lobongia sub-county in
Kaabong district the release of the warriors has been a great concern to the
government.
Lolem said that the warriors will need a rehabilitation centre where
they can be taken to heal the trauma and teach them how to earn a living while
in the community.
Lolem noted that most of the convicts are going to return home and
find their families disorganized.
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John Paul Kodet, the LCV Chairperson of Napak said that the
government should carry out a thorough assessment of the convicts before they
are released.
Kodet said that hardcore criminals should be identified and left to
serve their sentences because they will need more time to transform.
Kodet suggested that the convicts be taken for ideological and
mindset training on how to exist peacefully in the community.
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Peterken Lochap, the Member of Parliament for Bokora East County
in Napak district said that they had already talked to President Museveni to
consider taking the convicts to a counselling centre before reuniting them with
the community.
Lochap also noted that the warriors also needed some incentive package
that would help them to start a decent life in society.
Lochap noted that if the convicts are just released and integrated into
the community without any support, there are high chances of insecurity
resurrecting.
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Mike Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson clarified
that not all the convicts shall be pardoned and released from jail.
Longole noted that convicts shall be thoroughly screened and those who
committed murder or owned illegal firearms may not be released from jail. He
reiterated that the pardoning may be granted to the convicts who were arrested under
unclear circumstances during cordon and search operations.
Longole expressed fears that if those with capital offences are
released, the region is more likely to experience another wave of insecurity.
