The army has denied the looting claim by leaders.
By Hope Owiny Ochero
Kotido – March 3, 2022: A section of local leaders in Kotido has accused army officers of looting their stolen cattle after recovery.
For years, the Karimojong have been looting cattle among themselves. This promoted the army (UPDF) to intervene and help in the recovery of stolen cattle.
During a recent dialogue held in Panyangara, Lomuria Moses, a councilor from Longaroi sub-county said the army does not return all the recovered cattle to the owners.
Even after verification by different parties, he said the army hold the animals.
Lomuria added that the army sometimes becomes “aggressive” whenever owners of the cattle looted by the army make attempts to follow up.
According to him, this is making people shy away from following up their stolen cattle.
Iraar Peter Abrahams, the mayor of Kotido municipality said people should embrace peace and start taking care of their cattle so that the army stops getting involved in their cattle business.
Maj. Isaac Oware, the UPDF 3rd division spokesperson said the allegations are not true.
“The army sometimes delays to handover the cattle pending verification when more than one person claims a particular animal,” he clarified.