Moroto leaders demand reinstatement of vigilantes

13 February 2023, 4:59 pm

A section of Moroto district leaders has renewed their call for the reinstatement of the local vigilante groups to back security forces in the fight against cattle rustlers.

The leaders argue that the communities have continued losing cattle to suspected raiders and little is done to rescue the situation. They want the local vigilantes to be formed and integrated into the security forces.

Joseph Otita, the LCIII Chairperson for Rupa Sub County, says that the vigilantes would help to coordinate with security forces to deal with the wrong elements in the society.

Jackson Angella, an elder in Rupa Sub County accused the forces of working in isolation and not doing enough to protect locals from the suspected cattle raiders.

Samuel Piriri Abura, the former MP for Matheniko County wants government to consider recruiting at least 1,000 vigilantes per district.

But Brigadier Gen Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander, turned down the request saying the leadership of Karamoja had been accused of conniving with cattle rustlers.

In 2021, the UPDF phased out LDU personnel deployed in Karamoja following the investigations that proved some Karamojong who were recruited as LDU personnel had become a security threat.