President Museveni has said nearly 40,000 guns have been recovered from the Karimojong since the disarmament process began in 2002.
Museveni said this on Wednesday while campaigning at Bomah grounds in Moroto.
Museveni accused the former Director General of the External Security Organisation (ESO) David Pulkol of having had intentions of deviating from the government’s disarment plan.
“When I ordered for an exercise to disarm the Karamojongs who had guns, Mr Pulkol brought in his new plan that unless the disarmament exercise begins from Turkana in Northern Kenya, proliferation of Guns will not stop in Karamoja but I refused his plans,” Museveni said.
“More than 40,000 guns since the exercise was launched were recovered,’’ Museveni added. ‘‘Now there is peace. I remember whenever I visited the region, few people would gather to listen to me, but now the numbers are overwhelming.”
The president was accompanied by his wife, Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister for Karamoja Affairs.
The National Resistance Movement presidential candidate said because of a return of peace as a result of the disarmament, Karamoja has began to develop.
“This region is steadily developing; there is now good road network, electricity and clean water. Although some of the districts like Kabong and Kotido still have no power, my government is working towards that and I can assure you that some people are already being sought for to undertake the initiative.”
Before the disamamement process, the Karimojong were known for periodically raiding their neighbours in Acholi and Teso.
The president also promised to send relief food to residents of the Karamoja region. This year alone, a total of 20 ople are reported to have died of starvation in the District of Kotido and Moroto.
