The Monitor (Kampala)
February 13, 2003
Posted to the web February 14, 2003
Sylvester Onyang
Kampala
Iteso from Katakwi district fear that the impounding of about 2,000 heads of cattle from Karimojong by the UPDF will increase cattle rustling.
The chairman Teso Religious Leaders Association, Fr. Robert Echegu, said the Iteso suspect that the fresh cattle thefts in Kapelebyong and Magoro sub-counties result from the seizure of Karimojong cattle.
"The people are worried that Karimojong will continue to raid them because their cows were rounded up in Katakwi. The situation will become worse when the operation is over and the UPDF move without handing over the cows to the owners," Fr. Echegu said.
Fr. Echegu was speaking at a strategic planning workshop for NGOs in Mbale on Sunday.
The UPDF seized about 2,000 heads of cattle and sheep in Katakwi swamps after it flushed Bokora warriors out of Katakwi grazing lands in a fierce battle last week.
Fr. Echegu said Katakwi leaders criticised religious leaders for allowing the warriors to graze their cattle in Teso.
He, however, said the relationship with Karimojong was good.
Capt. Moses Agaba, the 3 Division political commissar, said the cattle would be handed back to Bokora if they accept the Magoro 2000 Pact that bars them from crossing into Teso region with guns.
He said the warriors have rejected the UPDF's idea of communal grazing under the guard of the soldiers because they (Bokora) do not want their plans uncovered.
