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New Vision (Kampala)
February 7, 2003
Posted to the web February 8, 2003
Rashid Muzungyo
Kampala
THE Government is to recruit 400 homeguards in Kapchorwa district to curb cattle rustling by the Karimojong and Kenyan Pokot.
The resident district commissioner, Mrs. Tezira Jamwa, said, "The Government is to recruit and train 400 homeguards to beef up security in this district."
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Jamwa, who was presiding over the 17th National Resistance Movement and Army victory celebrations at the Boma Grounds in Kapchorwa town, said the recruitment would be done in 11 sub-counties prone to cattle raids.
She said, amid cheers from the gathering, that the guards would be recruited at sub-county level among disciplined youth.
Jamwa was responding to complaints by the district council chairman, Nelson Chelimo, that cattle raids by the Karimojong and Kenyan Pokot were on the rise in the district.
He said more than 1,500 head of cattle were raided by the two pastoral tribes in the past six months.
Chelimo said the raids had caused widespread poverty and suffering in the district.
He said some people in Kapchorwa were collaborating with the Pokot and the Karimojong to rustle cattle in the district.
Jamwa said the homeguards would be trained and commanded by the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF).
She said the guards would work with the army to track down the raiders.
District extension workers, local councillors, elders, the youth and women leaders attended the celebrations. Ends
