Mbale — The Uganda People's Defence Forces have recovered 471 guns from Karimojong warriors in the past three weeks.

The 3rd Division Army Spokesperson, Lt. Henry Obbo, said 307 guns were recovered in Kotido, 99 in Moroto, 26 in Nakapiripiriti and 46 guns in Kabong districts.

According to Obbo, the 67th battalion during 'Cordon and search' exercise recovered 405 guns while 63 guns were voluntarily handed over and 3 guns were forcefully recovered after UPDF foiled an ambush by the warriors.

He said whereas UPDF is committed to using the peaceful cordon and search method, at Awachi in Moroto they were compelled to use force when armed warriors laid an ambushed and resisted disarmament.

Obbo who was speaking to Daily Monitor in Mbale on Wednesday said four warriors were killed during the battle.

He dismissed reports that UPDF would resort to forceful disarmament, saying the army would continue to use the cordon and search method because it is friendly and had yielded good results.

With 471 guns recovered this month and 1258 in June, UPDF using cordon and search method has recovered a total of 1729 guns from the four districts of Karamoja in the two months.

Obbo advised local leaders who are busy fault finding and advocating for the suspension of the disarmament exercise to abandon the idea and support the disarmament exercise in order to guarantee security and peace for neighbours districts of Sironko, Kapchorwa and Teso.