K'jong Warriors Must Be Tamed
The Monitor (Kampala)
EDITORIAL
September 23, 2003
Posted to the web September 23, 2003
Kampala
Karimojong cattle rustlers raided a displaced people's camp in Katakwi district over the weekend, killing at least 30 people and driving away an unidentified number of cattle. Armed Karimojong warriors attacked Opeuro-Odot in Ngariam sub-county on Saturday, at around 1.30 p.m.
This is not the first time Karimojong warriors are guilty of a massacre in neighbouring Teso, and it may not be the last.
Last year, a band of Karimojong warriors raided a camp in the same sub-county, killing more than a dozen people.
This wanton destruction of life and property on the part of the Karimojong must end. All Ugandans are equal under the law and this should apply to Karimojong who commit heinous crimes like these under the guise of cattle rustling. Perpetrators of murder must be hunted down and made to face the full force of the law.
While the Karimojong warriors are on the spot for unleashing terror on hapless Teso civilians, the government cannot escape blame.
Security of life and property is the responsibility of the state. The government should have beefed up security in and around the camps, especially after previous attacks.
The saying, "once bitten, twice shy" should not have been lost on our security chiefs.
Living in camps is already an indication that the government has failed to provide security for the people in their villages. The logic is that it would be easier to protect the people when they are together.
It is therefore ironical that 'protected' people's camps are not protected after all!
Besides, the government two years ago embarked on a campaign to disarm Karimojong, seizing several guns in the process, but the general results appear to be dismal.
>From this attack, it would appear that Karamoja is still teeming with guns in wrong hands. That the Karimojong warriors are still courageous enough to stage such an attack is further indication that the army's operation has not been successful.
More effort should be directed at ridding Karamoja of illegal weapons.
Surely, a people already facing the deadly Lord's Resistance Army rebels don't deserve further unprovoked punishment from bellicose neighbours.
