Karamoja Leaders Want Convicted Warriors Released, Rehabilitated

Reported by Spurb Ernest

The leaders have demanded that the convicts be properly screened and taken to the counselling Centre for ideological and mindset training before integrating them into the community.

Some of the Karamojong warriors were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

Leaders in the Karamoja sub-region want the convicted warriors and those serving their sentences in various prisons to be taken for ideological training after they are released from jail.

Over, 4000 Karamojong warriors arrested during Usalama Kwa Wote operations have been convicted of various offences ranging from illegal possession of firearms to murder, and cattle rustling. The majority of the convicts are between 15 and 30 years old.

Recently the leaders in the Karamoja appealed to the President to release the convicts stating that the warriors have reformed and should be given a chance to reunite with their families.

However, it is reported that President Museveni had directed the Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to assess the possibility of pardoning 900 Karamojong youth imprisoned at the Kitalya Prison.

The leaders say that the convicts be properly screened and taken to the counselling Centre for ideological and mindset training before integrating them into the community.

Paul Lokol, the LCV Chairperson of Nabilatuk district said that he has been at the forefront advocating for the release of the Karachunas.

Lokol said that most of the youth were rounded up during a cordon and search operation when they had not committed a crime. He observed that the hardcore criminals who were handed over to the security forces by the community should not be released to avoid revenge attacks.

He said that the government should use the presidential industrial hub as an assembling centre for the warriors.

Lokol warned that if the warriors were released without any support, the warriors would reorganize and start a serious attack on the community.

Christopher Lolem, the LC III Chairperson of Lobongia sub-county in Kaabong district the release of the warriors has been a great concern to the government.

Lolem said that the warriors will need a rehabilitation centre where they can be taken to heal the trauma and teach them how to earn a living while in the community.

Lolem noted that most of the convicts are going to return home and find their families disorganized.

John Paul Kodet, the LCV Chairperson of Napak said that the government should carry out a thorough assessment of the convicts before they are released.

Kodet said that hardcore criminals should be identified and left to serve their sentences because they will need more time to transform.

Kodet suggested that the convicts be taken for ideological and mindset training on how to exist peacefully in the community.

Peterken Lochap, the Member of Parliament for Bokora East County in Napak district said that they had already talked to President Museveni to consider taking the convicts to a counselling centre before reuniting them with the community.

Lochap also noted that the warriors also needed some incentive package that would help them to start a decent life in society.

Lochap noted that if the convicts are just released and integrated into the community without any support, there are high chances of insecurity resurrecting.

Mike Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson clarified that not all the convicts shall be pardoned and released from jail.

Longole noted that convicts shall be thoroughly screened and those who committed murder or owned illegal firearms may not be released from jail. He reiterated that the pardoning may be granted to the convicts who were arrested under unclear circumstances during cordon and search operations.

Longole expressed fears that if those with capital offences are released, the region is more likely to experience another wave of insecurity.