The joint security task force enforcing the ongoing disarmament exercise in Karamoja has hailed women for playing a key role in the recovery of firearms.

Capt. Edrin Mawanda, the UPDF 3rd Division Spokesperson, says that women have been great partners since the army and police launched the second phase of the disarmament exercise on July 17th, 2021.

“Women in Karamoja are very resource full in the ongoing gun recovery,” he told URN in an interview on Sunday. According to Capt. Mawanda, the majority of the firearms have been recovered through the support of women.

“When men try to hide guns. We get information from women and we surround the village and get the guns, “he said. The army has so far recovered 85 guns and over 900 rounds of ammunition.

Clementina Nangiro, one of the members of Karamoja women peace group and resident of Kanawat village in Kotido district, says that she has so far participated in recovering eight guns. “I know we are at risk as women from our men for exposing them to security but we have accepted it because still, it’s us the women who suffer, “she said.

Jessica Nachan, another peace promoter, says that Karamoja can only be peaceful without guns. “Other regions are developing seriously but for us, in Karamoja, we still struggling to end insecurity,” she said.

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URN