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East Africa: Uganda, Kenya Intensify Illegal Arms Fight
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The Monitor (Kampala)
4 May 2008
Posted to the web 5 May 2008
David Mafabi
Mbale
Security chiefs from Uganda and Kenya have stepped up efforts to end persistent arms trafficking along the common border.
Last week, Uganda's and Kenya's joint border commissioners met in Mbale to fine- tune plans to stop the vice.
The Minister for Presidency, Dr Beatrice Wabudeya, also attended the meeting at Mbale Resort Hotel.
According to the army, the strategy is aimed at reducing gun-flow across the border. through cordial interactions between the defence and police forces as well as diplomatic contacts to ensure that there is peace, security and development in the region. Nyanza Province Commissioner Paul Olando said Kenya's priority is to fight armed groups.
"For the fourth time in recent times, the government of Kenya carried out a public destruction of close to 870 firearms in Nairobi," Mr Olando said.
Although journalists were later locked out of the meeting, Sunday Monitor learnt that security officials resolved to set up a monitoring mechanism of all major routes for arms trafficking.
Brig. Parick Kankiriho, who led the Ugandan delegation, said the joint fight of arms trafficking would reduce cattle rustling.
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Ethnic groups involved in cross-border cattle raids, tribal conflicts and arms trafficking are Turkana, Pokot and several sub-ethnic groups in Karamoja region.
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