UPDF warns collaborators and local criminal gangs over cattle theft
UPDF has warned collaborators and local criminal gangs involved in livestock theft that they will be dealt with like cattle raiders because they are jeopardizing efforts to curb the bad act in Lango and parts of the East Acholi sub-regionin Labwodong Agago District, yesterday 16th July 2023.
On July 16, 2023, the UPDF issued a warning to local criminal gangs and accomplices participating in livestock theft that they would be treated like cattle raiders if they did not stop undermining attempts to stop the crime in Lango and several areas of the East Acholi subregion in Labwodong Agago District.
The warning was sounded by the Second in Command 5 Infantry Division Col Gai Mpadwa in Labwodong Agago District yesterday 16th July 2023 while presenting suspected collaborators and local criminal gangs before the media.
Col Gai told area local leaders and journalists that warriors from the districts of Karamoja have been causing mayhem and UPDF has stepped up efforts to scale down the raids. He promised to stamp out the vice completely.
He however decried the new tendency of local people disguising as Karamojong warriors, who steal from unsuspecting fellow local people.
The second in command paraded three youths Odong Denis 24, Abalo Sharon 28 and Ajok Anah 27. Odong Denis was arrested in the wee hours of Friday morning with 5 stolen goats belonging to Akidi Rose 52 of Otumpili East, Pacer parish, Parabongo Sub County in Agago District.
He told the meeting of locals and the media that such collaborators and criminal gangs have turned the raids to be commercial where they raid, skin the cows or goats and sell the meat to local restaurants; making it difficult for the army to track them.
He added that some locals are guided by Karamojongs quickly out of the area after raids to avoid falling into army ambushes. “Stop stealing from yourselves or else you will perish in that vice,” Col. warned residents.
He stressed that all collaborators, criminal gangs, and sympathisers will be arraigned before courts of law and charged accordingly.
