Security
personnel in the Karamoja sub-region have rejected a bribe from a section of
leaders in Kotido District to release a suspect arrested for trading guns.
The suspect only identified as Apaethe was arrested on 18th May by the joint
security forces during cordon and search operations in Potongore village in
Kotido district. He is being accused of smuggling and selling illegal guns to
cattle rustlers.
Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander said the
suspect voluntarily surrendered his gun to the forces but resorted to smuggling
guns from Kenya and selling them to cattle rustlers.
However, Balikudembe acknowledged that a section of leaders in Kotido whose
identity he concealed were agitating for the release of the suspected gun
trader.
He said the leaders have tried in all ways including offering bribes in order
to secure the release of the suspect but all in vain.
Balikudembe
warned the leaders against covering up suspects saying they risk being booked
as a suspect in custody for the same crime.
//Cue in ‘’
this is a young boy…
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this boy be released’’.//
URN has also learned that several leaders from different districts have been arrested in
connection with illegal possession of firearms and facilitating cattle theft in
the region.
Michael Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said they are
holding two local leaders for fueling cattle raids.
According to Longole, a woman councilor in
Nabilatuk district whose name was withheld for the purpose of investigations
was arrested for hiring out her gun to the raiders. He said the suspect has
been hiring out the guns to cattle rustlers who pay her an unspecified amount of
money after success in the mission.
Longole also confirmed the arrest of the LCIII Chairperson of Lorengae sub-county in Nakapiripirit district after intelligence had shown that he owns guns.
He said that so far two guns have been recovered from his close associates and
investigations into the matter of the two leaders are ongoing.
