Olandason Wanyama
9 July 2009
Kampala — The Kenyan government has been urged to work closely with the UPDF to curb the rampant cattle rustling and killings in the border region.
The district commissioner for Turkana Central in Kenya, George Ayonga, said joint efforts between Kenyan authorities and the UPDF would reduce cattle rustling, which has claimed lives and deterred development.
Ayonga, who was meeting his Ugandan counterparts at his Lodwar office recently, said his office would ensure that peace prevails in the region. He urged the officials to encourage dialogue among the local population and to promote reconciliation and embrace peace to attract development.
Moroto district chairman Peterken Lochap said cattle rustling had reached "unbelievable levels" among pastoral groups. He, however, said the UPDF in Karamoja had done a tremendous job in the reduction of illegal guns, which he said had led to better service delivery in the health, education and agriculture departments.
The Moroto resident district commissioner, Nahaman Ojwee, said cattle rustling was mainly practiced by the Jie and the Pokot warriors, who roam the region, adding that an immediate solution was needed.
He urged the Kenyans to also embrace the disarmament exercise. The Ugandan Government started a disarmament exercise to curb cattle rustling in 2001. So far, over 26,000 guns have been collected.
The meeting was attended by Turkana councillors and 20 local government officials from Moroto district.
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