UPDF Hands Over Six Turkana Suspects to Kenyan Government

The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have handed over six Turkana suspects as a sign of peaceful co-existence and brotherhood to Turkana County in the Republic of Kenya.

The handover was done by Brig. Gen. Felix Busizooro, the 3^rd Division Deputy Commander of the UPDF, at Moroto Army Barracks today, March 6, 2023.

Peter Eripete, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Turkana County Government in Kenya, received the suspects who were arrested alongside their kin, the native Matheniko, in cordon and search operations.

According to Brig. Gen. Busizoori, the suspects had previously engaged in cattle rustling in the Karamoja sub-region between February 20 and February 26, 2023.

“Following recent persistent security and diplomatic engagements between Ugandan and Kenyan authorities, we officially hand over six suspects in a gesture of East African Community (EAC) partnership as a sign of peaceful co-existence and brotherhood,” he said.

While handing over the suspects, he asked the Turkana County Government to penalise them for abusing the peaceful coexistence and cross-border security arrangements.

“This diplomatic pardon should not be taken for granted as it may lead to impunity.Those who may be found violating Ugandan laws will be prosecuted from here,” Brig. Gen. Busizoori said.

He added that the eight (8) native Matheniko who were arrested alongside the Turkana will be subjected to Uganda’s courts of law.

Eripete appreciated the President of Uganda and the joint security commanders for giving an additional chance to Turkana pastoralists to graze their animals in Ugandan territories.

“I categorically state that we are not allowing anybody to come and cause criminality in the host country, adding that once criminality is caused on whichever side of the border, that suspect is subjected to the host country’s laws,” he stated.

Among those present were Brigade Commander, Mr. Lomodo Tulele, Turkana County Legal Officer, Maj. Abdullah Kalicha, Kenya Liaison Officer to Uganda, and senior officers.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Uganda and Kenya, the Karamojong and Turkana pastoralists have co-existed and shared water and pasture in the grazing belts in Uganda.

Armed Turkana elements have continued to violate the much desired MoU since they engage themselves in criminal and rustling activities in Uganda.