Uganda to Deploy Vigilantes on International Border

UPDF infantry Returns from Somali

At least 400 people undergoing training in Zombo district to work as vigilantes and report any cases of insecurity along the Uganda border with D R Congo and South Sudan.

The training that attracted people from the various districts in West Nile region will run for three weeks and President Yoweri Museveni is expected to come and pass out the vigilantes on May 24.

Lt. Mark Mutono, the UPDF spokesperson for West Nile, says the training will not only cover security but also issues of economic transformation, peace building and development of the citizens and communication skills among others.

He identified some of the candidates attending the training as district officials, traders, the youths, army veterans as well as trained UPDF soldiers who are currently deployed along the border because it is anticipated that they would work together.

Richard Todong, the Minister Without Portfolio, who opened the training that started early this week, asked the candidates to be agents of peace in their districts, communities and with the neighboring countries. He said having peace in the country is important because it leads to development.

Todwong, who is also Member of Parliament for Nwoya County in Nwoya district, reminded the participants about the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war that he says took too long and left many people in northern Uganda in abject poverty.

However, Arua RDC Ibrahim Abiriga, who is one of the participants, told our reporter that the training will help him to arrest international criminals especially vehicle thieves who pass through West Nile.

Among other people, the facilitators of the training will include Inspector General of Police Lieutenant General Kale Kayihura and the Chief of Defence Forces General Aronda Nyakairima.  Kayihura is expected there next week to educate the vigilantes on community policing, while Aronda will take the trainees through peace and impact of wars and rebellions on National development.

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