Moroto local leaders on Friday handed over 20 animals recovered from the Matheniko rustlers to the Jie elders, ending two weeks of camping at the district headquarters. The animals were recovered from the kraals in Loputuk village, Nadunget Sub County, where they were hidden for over six months.
Last month, the Jie elders had travelled over 95 kilometres from Kotido district to Moroto to show their dissatisfaction with the local leadership. The elders had vowed not to go back home without their animals after spending a couple of days away from their homes.
Speaking at the handover held at the Police barracks on Friday, Mark Aol Musooka, the Moroto Local Council Five chairperson, said the recovery of the animals was a sign that leaders were committed to making peace. He encourages the elders to sustain and consolidate the existing relations.
Musooka blamed the errant youths who are always souring their relations with other clans by rustling animals. He asked security agencies to expedite the recovery of more missing animals so that existing relations are not eroded.
Lokong Apakoima, a victim of the rustlers who talked on behalf of the elders, advised Moroto leaders to form anti-rustling committees. He says the committee would help in tracking criminals in the villages so as to curb animal theft.
Apakoima attributes failure for Karamoja to develop like other parts of the country to chronic rustling. However, the elders promised to fight the theft of animals within Kaabong, Abim, Kotido and Moroto districts adding that they were now fed up.
Richard Anyama, the Moroto District Police Commander, urges the elders to unite and have one voice across Karamoja. He condemns animal rustling saying the vice was the greatest contributing factor of poverty in the communities. He encourages the youths to desist from rustling and engage in developmental programmes.
The handover was witnessed by army officers, local leaders and civil society organizations dealing with peace among others. Ends
