Katakwi LC3 chairman arrested for cattle raiding in Karamoja
William Omeke, the Ongongoja LC3 Chairman. PHOTO URN
Katakwi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The LC3 Chairperson of Ongongoja Sub County in Katakwi district, William Omeke has been arrested by the military over his alleged involvement in the theft of 22 cattle from Poron Sub County in Napak district.
Omeke is the first prominent leader from Teso sub region to be arrested over alleged theft and collaboration with cattle thieves from Karamoja sub region.
His arrest comes at the time Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) is registering some gains in the ‘Usalama Kwa Wote’ operation loosely translated as “Peace for All” in Karamoja after series insecurity resurgence from 2019.
Rtd. Maj. Godfrey Katamba, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Katakwi, has confirmed the arrest of the LC3 Chairperson. He says that Omeke was apprehended alongside his two nephews, Simon Peter Morotum, a butcher man in Usuk Town council and a UPDF soldier, whose details were not readily available by the time of filing this story.
According to Katamba, the team has been taken to the 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters in Moroto Municipality where they will be arraigned before the court martial. He notes that besides the alleged cattle theft, Omeke also faces other charges like possession of military stores and connivance with cattle raiders.
Cattle theft has been more pronounced in Katakwi district over the years and the vice was attributed to the Karimojong warriors, neighbouring the district. But lately, security operatives have been recovering Karimojong stolen cattle from Katakwi, a district that has suffered Karimojong insurgence of raids and brutality for decades.
In April 2024, the security operatives arrested a group of alleged cattle thieves’ collaborators in Aliakamer, Katakwi Sub County over theft of 48 cattle intercepted from Lorengechora sub county in Napak district.
Another operation saw more than 100 cattle stolen in Nabilatuk district hidden in the bushes in Guyaguya sub county in Katakwi district, according to the RDC, Katamba. He adds that some of the cattle thieves’ collaborators have been arrested and others put out of action during the operations.
However, the Katakwi LC5 Chairperson, Geoffrey Omolo, is bitter with the social media reactions castigating the leaders over the alleged theft.
According to Omolo, the LC3 Chairman is only a suspect who should be given an opportunity to defend himself in a competent court, urging social media users to refrain from jumping into unnecessary conclusions.
“It would be unfair and grave injustice if anyone used personal reasons or hatred to target Hon. William Omeke. I urge everyone to refrain from jumping into biased conclusions,” said Omolo during an interview with our reporter.
The East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman, Edison Obukulem told our reporter on phone that Omeke was apprehended by the army officials during the security meeting with stakeholders in Katakwi district. But the 3rd Division Spokesman, Maj. Isaac Oware didn’t comment on the matter when our reporter contacted him on phone.
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