The Commander of the 3 Infantry Division, Major General Wilberforce Sserunkuma, has called for a coordinated security alliance between Kotido and Kaabong districts to eradicate cross-border cattle theft, clan conflicts, and highway lawlessness.
The army commander issued the directive during a security meeting held at the Lokomebu Sub-county Headquarters.
The strategic dialogue brought together the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) of Kotido and Kaabong, alongside district and sub-county security committees, local government officials, kraal leaders, peace committee members, religious leaders, and Local Council I chairpersons.
Maj Gen Sserunkuma stated that the security threats plaguing the two neighboring districts can no longer be fought within isolated administrative boundaries.
He emphasized that livestock theft, the movement of armed criminal syndicates, and inter-communal clashes must be tackled collectively to establish the stability required for economic development.
“These efforts must not stop at the district level," Maj Gen Sserunkuma warned. "We must take peace deep into the communities and villages.”
The commander reaffirmed the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces' (UPDF) commitment to protecting lives and property across Karamoja.
He ordered all local leaders and security detachments to strictly enforce the ongoing presidential directives on restoring law and order.
“Cattle, illegal firearms, people and conflicts move across boundaries," Maj Gen Sserunkuma noted. "Security must therefore be managed jointly with the active involvement of communities and local leaders.”
The Kotido Resident District Commissioner, Charles Ichogor, praised the cross-border initiative, noting that it will foster peaceful coexistence between formerly clashing communities.
Ichogor urged locals to embrace reconciliation while reminding individuals holding illicit weapons to exploit the active presidential pardon and surrender them immediately.
The Kaabong Resident District Commissioner, Stephen Latek, reminded residents that lasting stability begins at the household level, urging families to report suspicious armed movements promptly.
The Commandant of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), ACP Francis Chemusto, appealed to the gathering to completely reject mob justice, abandon cattle raiding, prioritize formal education for children, and combat widespread alcohol abuse to eliminate domestic violence.
The Kotido District LCV Chairperson, Paul Komol Lotee, implored the various sub-counties to maintain social harmony despite deep-seated clan differences.
Local leaders welcomed the peace initiative. LC III Councillor Moses Adingdong praised the continuous engagement between security agencies and civilians, while Lokomebu LC I Chairperson Joseph Aena attributed the stabilizing security environment to the growing cooperation between the UPDF, ASTU, local leaders, and reformed warriors.
Community representatives embraced the peace resolutions but urged the government to fulfill critical local needs to consolidate the stability.
The residents appealed for the immediate reopening of the Moroto-Abim road, requested urgent state intervention to stop rogue elephants from destroying their food crops, and commended the UPDF and ASTU for their excellent track record in tracking and recovering stolen cattle.
The security assembly drew heavy representation from Lolelia, South, Sidok, and Lanyoro sub-counties in Kaabong District.
Delegates from Rengen, Longoromit, Kacheri, Nakapelimoru, and the Kotido North Division also traveled from Kotido District to seal the joint peace pact.
