By Steven Enatu
TESO
Teso youth under their umbrella, Teso Emergency Agenda have threatened to hold a peaceful demonstration in Teso in the wake of persistent and continuous cattle raids that have terrorized Teso and surrounding areas.
The angered Teso youths across educational institutions in Uganda recently issued ultimatum to government of 24 hours that elapsed on 14th April 2022. The ultimatum was for government to find an amicable solution to the persistent insecurity arising from Karamojong cattle rustlers that has since then left hundreds in Kapelebyong fleeing homes for refugee in camps.
Addressing the press on Good Friday, Joseph Ojatum, the chairperson Teso Emergency Agenda said that the government needs to act as soon as possible to address the insecurity issues in Karamoja and neighboring districts.
He said that they wrote to the government seeking for the rearming of the famous Teso Arrow boys who once helped in flashing out the Lord Resistance Army in Teso but have not received any feedback.
The Arrow Boys were local vigilantes drafted in Teso, and turned out a successful auxiliary force to complement the Uganda People’s Defence Forces that warded off Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) incursion.
The angry youths fault the government and Teso leaders for alleged failure to resolve insecurity in Karamoja and Neighboring districts of Teso.
“We have fully fledged forces and several militia in Uganda but how come they are able to perform tremendously well outside but when it comes to protecting their own people, they are failing. This brings in more questions than answers,” he said.
The youth demand that The 3 Division commander, Brig Gen Joseph Balikuddembe be dropped out of Karamoja claiming that he has failed to do his work.
They also want the government to do heavy deployment of forces around the borders to man security and give back the stolen cattle that are recovered to their owners.
“Sometimes the animals are raided but when traced, they are found in UPDF detaches and they are not all taken back,” Ojatum alleged.
George Odinga, the coordinator Teso Emergency Agenda said that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government in power is failing to live up to its famous NRM ten point program which among other key things include restoration of security to all Ugandans.
“We wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola and we have not gotten the reply and therefore we are here to organize a peaceful demonstration,” he said.
Moses Otekat, one of the youth from Soroti alleges that five people have so far lost their lives in Kapelebyong District under the watch of the Government.
“As Teso youth, we are asking the government to respond, if not, we will go for a peaceful demonstration,” he said.
Otekat further appealed to the office of the prime minister through the ministry of Teso Affairs to provide relief to the people of Kapelebyong who are living in camps amidst poor shelter, medication and food.
