‘Reformed’ notorious Karamojong warrior re-arrested over cattle rustling 

The joint security forces of UPDF and Police Anti Stock Theft Unit in Karamoja subregion have paraded over 30 warriors with seventeen guns, bows and arrows which are believed to have been used in terrorizing the Karamojong people and neighboring communities of Teso and Acholi.

Among the suspects is the once reformed notorious warrior Peter Lokiru Acuccu who last year in July surrendered to the forces with a gun and he was given a voluntary disarmament card to which indicate that he had reformed.

While parading the criminals with their guns at the third division headquarters in Moroto district, the Division Commander Brig Gen Joseph Balikuddembe said Acuccu handed in a gun which belonged to another person and he remained with his.

Recently, during the maiden tour for the state Minister for Karamoja, Agnes Nandutu and  Brigadier Balikuddembe introduced Acuccu Lokiru Peter as a reformed Warrior.

Acuccu promised to spread the gospel of peace to his colleagues who were still at large and was taken as a role model in the region.

However this month Acuccu was re-arrested after intelligence linked him to different cattle raids in Karamoja especially in Kotido and Abim and after his arrest three guns were recovered from his group and more are still at Large.

In defense, Acuccu says he did this due to Satan’s temptations.

Relatively, the Peace Committee leader in Moroto district Aliko Lomuria was also arrested following links in different raids.

However security operatives in Karamoja are worried of the increasing use of poisonous arrows especially by criminals without guns to kill innocent people.

Balikuddembe adds that they are also dealing with Karamajong Criminals in the neighboring Teso and Acholi.

Minister for Karamoja Affairs Dr Mary Gorreti Kitutu said the government is to provide physio -social support and skill the reformed Warriors to deter them from going to crime again.

Other Cattle rustler groups were arrested from Kotido, Moroto and Nabilatuk and it is alleged they have been terrorizing Karamoja region and neighboring communities.

The suspects claim to have got the guns from Turkana, Pokot in Kenya and Toposa in South Sudan.

In a period of one month 17 guns have been recovered and since operation Usalama kwa Wote started in July last year, 170 guns have been recovered.