The government of Uganda through the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs has issued an order of shooting to kill any Kenyan from the pastoralist communities who will be found armed in Ugandan territory.
This after a report indicating Uganda had disarmed its pastoralist communities including the Karamojong of Uganda, their security is wanting due to the dangers posed to them by Kenyan's Pokot and Turkana cattle rustlers who are still armed.
The order to kill which was specifically given to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) was issued on 26th January 2019 by the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mr. Moses Kizige.
Mr. Kizige said they moved in swiftly as the government to take away firearms that were in the hands of the Karamojong so as to restore peace in their country, but Turkanas and Pokots from Kenya and South Sudan had taken it as an advantage to launch raids on the Karamojong.
“The government didn’t disarm the Karimojong to allow armed pastoralists from neighbouring countries to disturb them. We shall now start killing them to save the lives of our harmless people in Karamoja,” he was quoted by the East African.
The government of Kenya has not yet responded to the order yet.
In a similar case in Kenya, Butula Deputy County Commissioner, Winston Murunge on Sunday 10/02/2018 issued a similar order of shoot-to-kill to any robber who will be found in Busia County.
Busia County has witnessed many criminal activities for the past few weeks with Butula Sub County recording a high number of cases.
Residents said the only business activities that go on well without hindrances from thugs is chang'aa brewers.