The move comes after President Yoweri Museveni issued an executive order in May 2023 halting Turkana pastoralists from accessing grazing grounds in Uganda until they produce the killers of five Ugandan geologists who were shot dead in Karamoja early last year.
Acting Third Division Infantry Division spokesperson Moses Muya said the establishment of an army detach on the Ugandan side, some 100km north of Moroto town, aims at curbing hostilities launched by Turkana herders.
He said in the past two weeks, the Turkana have shot and injured two soldiers in separate incidents.
“These people have become hostile to our soldiers,” Muya said, adding that the army was only implementing the order from the President.
He added that if the Turkana are to enter Uganda and look after their animals, they should use the proper channels to address their plight.
According to the 39 battalion commander overseeing the operations, Lt. Col. Patrick Obong, on October 8, 2023, Turkana warriors attacked a UPDF foot patrol along the Moroto-Kotido security road that runs along the Uganda-Kenya border.
He said one soldier was injured during a shootout before the Turkana disappeared into the hills along the border.
“We also responded with our fire,” Obong said, adding that no fatalities were recorded.
The UPDF deployment is a welcome development for the people of Karamoja, who have been living in fear of Turkana attacks for many years. It is hoped that the deployment will deter future attacks and bring peace and stability to the region.
