By Rosette Nandutu

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) 3rd Division Court Martial sitting in Moroto has handed various sentences to 27 Karimojong rustlers who were arrested from different districts.

The rustlers were convicted at Moroto UPDF 3rd Division headquarters for illegal possession of firearms after they pleaded guilty to the crimes.

The prosecution led by Maj Jeff Kennedy Ringakech told the court that the accused persons committed the crimes on various days.

In his ruling, the 3rd Division Court Martial chairperson, Col Francis Kateraho, said the court jointly sentenced to 10 years each of the rusttlers to act  as a deterrence and signal to other ill-intended individuals of the dangers associated with illegal possession of fire arms.

Col Kateraho said the convicts have the right to appeal within 14 days if they are not satisfied with his ruling.

 Maj Isaac Oware, the UPDF 3rd division spokesperson, said the tendencies of illegal possession of fire arms and gun violence are so common in Karamoja, yet guns are a monopoly of defence forces adding that it’s therefore prudent to prosecute these criminals to enhance peace and foster development.

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