Weapons from Ugandan military falling into civilian hands in volatile Karamoja

A new report released by Small Arms Survey finds that weapons from the Ugandan military are falling into the hands of civilians in Uganda’s northeast Karamoja region, fuelling conflict and undermining a forcible disarmament programme already laced with human rights abuses. The report states, “There is no plausible reason to suggest any official policy of transfer to the Karamajong. The process is likely to be attributable to the actions of individuals within those forces. But the trade nevertheless appears to exist.” Ugandan military officials acknowledged the problem, but claimed that it had been effectively dealt with. Another article in today’s Monitor highlights the effects of cattle rustling in Karamoja and examines the growing international humanitarian presence there.