The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II has appealed to the Government through the security agencies to do a lot more to protect the people from rampant attacks and killings, especially in the West Acholi region by the cattle rustlers from Karamoja.

Rwot Acana, who spoke to the COU Family TV reporter from his palace in Gulu City, said that the rampant attacks by the cattle rustlers in the district of Agago, Kitgum, Pader and Lamwo have left the people destitute and needs to be urgently addressed.

The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has noted with concern that the attacks on civilians by Karimojong cattle rustlers have significantly affected the development and the productivity of the people in the West Acholi region districts of Agago, Kitgum, Pader and Lamwo districts which neighbour Karamoja sub-region. The locals can no longer carry on with farming for fear of attack by the raiders.

The paramount chief noted that a number of people have lost their lives while thousands more have been forced to flee their homes and settle in camps, thus disrupting their lives.

Rwot Acana said that as he awaits clear action from the Government to address the matter, he will arrange to engage cultural leaders from the Karamoja sub-region to dialogue and seek solutions to the menace. He noted that the Acholi and their Karimojong neighbours have previously lived in harmony and peacefully coexisted.

Omiya Pachwa Sub-county in Agago District is one of the most affected areas, with 80% of its population currently spending nights away from home for protection against cattle rustlers.  

James Opira is the LC3 chairperson of Omiya Pachwa Sub-county. He said that most of his people leave their homes every evening to seek shelter and protection in trading centres and school classrooms.

Okello Santo Ocan, a resident of Laket Parish in Agago District, claimed that on a number of occasions after their when animals are recovered from the cattle raider by security agencies, the recovered cattle are not returned to the owners.  

The UPDF 03rd Division Commander, Brigadier General Joseph Balikuddembe said that from 2017 to date during the intensified disarmament operation in the Karamoja region, the UPDF has recovered 7,910 guns and 14,212 bullets. A number of cattle rustlers have been prosecuted and jailed.

Brigadier Balikuddembe noted that the UPDF has beefed up operations in the area and a number of interventions put in place to check the rampant attacks by the Karimojong in neighbouring districts.

Pulwee, Paimol and Omiya Pachwa are some of the most affected targeted by the cattle rustlers.

Dennis Otti