Turkana — Thirty-two Kenyans face a 20-year jail term in Ugandan prisons for allegedly being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

They were sentenced by the 3rd Division Military Court Martial based in Moroto District in the Northern region.

The 32 Kenyans, all residents of Orum, Loima Sub County, were convicted on their own plea of guilty and sentenced by the court presided over by the 3rd Division Court Martial Chairman, Col Benard Arinaitwe Tuhame.

According to the Monitor, on April 8, the UPDF together with police conducted a successful cordon and search operation in the areas of Lokiriaut, Nadunget sub-county where 31 guns and 752 rounds of ammunition were recovered from Turkana pastoralists in Moroto District.

"It was a well-executed operation after intelligence leads indicated that the kraal in the village owned by the Turkana pastoralists was a hideout for guns," Brig Balikuddembe said.

Brig Balikuddembe said one warrior was killed during the operation while others were injured.

"Joint security forces minimized as much as possible the number of casualties despite the heavy crossfire that injured five warriors, one UPDF soldier, while one warrior was put out of action as he tried to flee the scene with a gun," he said.

Brig Balikuddembe said that about 129 suspects were arrested in the operation, but the criminal files for the 32 suspects are the ones which were ready by Tuesday for prosecution. - Kna