UPDF to recruit 2,000 LDU personnel

UPDF is set to recruit 2,000 Local Defense Unit personnel in Acholi, Karamoja and West Nile regions to strengthen security on the porous Uganda-South Sudan border.

Maj Telesphor Turyamumanya, the UPDF 4th Division spokesperson says the pending recruitment is aimed at complementing efforts of the army and Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) on the border line.

Maj Turyamumanya said the decision was approved by President Yoweri Museveni, the commander-in-chief, following repeated cases of livestock theft by armed tribes in the Eastern Equatorial State of South Sudan.

Residents of Agoro Sub-County in Lamwo District have experienced sporadic attacks by suspected Lokwa, Ketebo, Dongotona and Lorwama armed tribes who mainly steal livestock.

Mr Denis Onyon, the Agoro Sub-county chairperson says that several households in Agula-Odiciri and Central villages of Agoro have lost more than 100 animals since January.

In May, one rustler was gunned down by UPDF soldiers in an attack on the Agoro community according to Mr Jonathan Rutabingwa, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner. READ

He said that the rustlers have troubled border districts of Acholi, Karamoja and West Nile Sub-regions for a long time.

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Mr Joseph Abuni, one of the witnesses, said it is regrettable when such incident occurs in the communities along the border areas