President Museveni has said he saved the people of Karamoja from “ committing suicide” by disarming them.
“Your people were committing suicide by staying with guns . I couldn’t allow you commit suicide because you were killing one another,” Museveni said.
He was on Tuesday speaking during a campaign rally at Kalas Girls Primary School grounds in Amudat district .
The NRM presidential candidate was referring to the Karamoja disarmament exercise that government has been conducting for years to remove illegal firearms from the region.
The operations which are still ongoing have resulted in arrests and the recovery of numerous guns and ammunition as part of a long-term strategy to bring lasting peace to the region, which also includes the establishment of peace initiatives like
The initiative also includes removing guns from Karachuna warriors whose main job was attacking communities to steal cattle and the creation of economic opportunities for these former rustlers.
Speaking on Tuesday, Museveni said some people were against the disarmament.
“Some people were saying you can’t remove guns from Karamoja unless you do the same for Turkana in Kenya, those in Ethiopia, Topoth and South Sudan. I said I am not here to disarm Africa but my people.”
“ They were saying if Karamojong and Turkana stay with guns, they balance terror by killing each other. Then the question was that why have a government if that is the case . If people are to balance terror like that, then what is purpose of having government in Kenya and Uganda? This was a false argument because in DRC and South Sudan there is always war but West Nile is at peace. There is always chaos in Congo but there is peace in Kasese.”
The president said he insisted on disarming the Karamojong so that government could protect them.
“That’s why I insisted you bring the guns and I protect you against Pokot of Kenya, Turkana of Kenya, Topotha and others.”
Museveni also said he had allowed the Turkana to cross to Uganda with their animals to graze them but said when they killed Ugandan geologists and soldiers in 2023, he banned them from ever stepping in Uganda.
He said by disarming the Karamajong, the NRM was able to bring about peace in the area which he said has brought about development in form of tarmac roads, electricity, health centres, schools and many others.
Museveni said there will be accelerated development in Amudat in the coming years.
