By Markson Omagor
MBALE
General David Rubakuba Muhoozi, the Chief of Defense Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), has said Tumukunde’s statement of re-arming Karamojong is unfortunate.
General Muhoozi, a lawyer by training was only careful with the choice of words when he responded to questions about Lt. General Tumukunde’s recent utterances in Karamoja sub region during his campaign trail.
Muhoozi was among the Security Chiefs hosted by a combined Television show of UBC and NBS yesterday, 11th December 2020.
On Tuesday, 8th December 2020, while at Olutekei Town Council in Kotido district, Tumukunde told his supporters that the disarmament program was poorly planned because it has rendered the Karamojong cattle farmers vulnerable.
“You are being disarmed and left under the mercy of Pokot,” Tumukunde is quoted to have said promising that in his government, he will rearm the Karamojong.
When asked about his opinion on Lt. General Tumukunde’s utterances, Muhoozi said that the statement could only be unfortunate because one cannot compare the situation in Karamoja before disarmament and now.
“There’s absolutely no justification for rearmament of Karamoja because the region is more peaceful now than before disarmament,” Muhoozi said.
He also argued that rearmament would mean government has privatized security and yet security is a public good.
“You can’t arm people to protect their property, and then what would be the role of government?” Muhoozi concluded.
It should be remembered that Teso sub region suffered immensely under the scourge of Karamojong cattle rustlers for many years. To many people in Teso, Tumukunde’s utterances were regrettable.
“Does Tumukunde realize the impact of his suggestion to the people of Teso? If he wants votes from Karamoja by promising them guns, then he should forget the Teso vote,” Joseph Inangut, a Secondary school teacher in Mbale said.
