MPs from Karamoja demand a new way to tackling insecurity.

Following rising insecurity typified by cattle rustling, members of Parliament from the Karamoja region have called for a revision of the region’s security plan.

The MPs appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, led by Rosemary Nyakikongoro, the Sheema District Woman representative.

MPs who spoke with the committee said the security situation in Karamoja was deteriorating and that the administration needed to come up with a new strategy.

Pian County MP Achia Remigio stated that the government must commit to defending Karamojong who are in danger of malnutrition, poverty, and illness. He added that the Karamojong are unable to sleep at night and are unable to herd their cattle due to cattle rustling by fighters from neighboring Kenya, such as the Pokot, Toposa, Somalian raiders, and South Sudanese raiders.

“They are requesting food assistance from the government for the first time in Karamoja because people are starving.” People are passing away. We want to be safe. “I have a house in town that has turned into a community kraal, and I am protected by two police officers,” he explained.

He emphasized that, in terms of resources, the soldiers on the field are overworked and unable to combat cattle rustling and instability.

“You need dessert shoes in Karamoja, but the soldiers have the incorrect shoes.” Soldiers don’t have enough fuel to maneuver across the terrain, so MPs are filling up cars to chase down stolen animals,” he continued.

Karamoja, according to Philips Lokwang, MP for Napore West, should be accorded the justice it deserves. He believes that if the government fails to safeguard the community, local militia should be called in to deal with cattle rustlers because the issue is out of control.

Raids are carried out even in the barracks, according to Sylvia Vicky Awas, the District Woman MP for Nabilatuk, and recovered cattle go missing.

“These policemen need to be transferred since cattle retrieved from the barracks, even from security custody, is missing, and they are failing to recapture stolen animals,” she said.

Several discussions with important parties have been held with no success, according to John Bosco Ngoya, the MP for Bokora County in Napak. He claimed that the crooks have grown extremely resilient and attack at all hours of the day and night.