The calls were made during a joint security meeting convened by the UPDF’s 3 Infantry Division at Nabwal Sub-county in Nabilatuk District.
The meeting brought together district and sub-county security committees, peace committees, LC I chairpersons, kraal leaders, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, opinion leaders and women representatives from the sub-counties of Kosike, Nabilatuk, Natirae, Nabwal, Lorengecora and Lotome.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commander of the 3 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, warned that cattle theft, if left unchecked, could reverse gains made in restoring security across Karamoja.
He urged young people to shun criminal activities and instead embrace lawful income-generating ventures.
“Poverty breeds insecurity. Work hard and walk out of poverty. The small illegal activity of cattle stealing will only take us back to cattle rustling and may cause lawlessness. Report any suspicious wrong elements so they are apprehended before havoc befalls you,” Maj Gen Sserunkuma said.
The Division Commander stressed that anyone involved in cattle theft or aiding criminal groups would face arrest and prosecution.
He also called on communities to embrace government poverty alleviation programmes and work closely with local leaders and security agencies to address emerging threats.
In a move aimed at strengthening grassroots security structures, Maj Gen Sserunkuma directed Resident District Commissioners to ensure regular security committee meetings are held at the sub-county level.
“Don’t wait for the District Security Committee to handle all security matters. Let sub-counties conduct security committee meetings so that security matters are also tackled from the grassroots,” he added.
The Resident District Commissioners of Napak and Nabilatuk, Milton Odong and Lotem Linos respectively, pledged continued collaboration with local communities and security agencies to maintain peace in the area.
The two RDCs also renewed calls for individuals still in possession of illegal firearms to voluntarily surrender them, warning that security agencies would continue disarmament operations targeting unlawful weapons.
Bokora County MP Emmanuel Illukol said combating cattle theft requires collective responsibility, noting that local communities remain central to identifying and exposing criminal elements.
He warned that anyone found engaging in livestock theft would face the full force of the law.
Meanwhile, the chairpersons of Nabilatuk and Napak districts, Paul Kodet and Paul Lokol, urged residents to support ongoing peace-building initiatives and government programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and accelerating socio-economic development.
During the meeting, residents highlighted what they described as a persistent challenge of suspects arrested over cattle theft allegedly being released and returning to commit similar offences.
Community members argued that the trend undermines public confidence in the justice system and weakens efforts to deter criminal activity.
Among the recommendations raised were tougher penalties for convicted cattle thieves, increased deployment of security personnel in hotspot areas, sustained day-and-night patrols to protect kraals and homesteads, and greater involvement of women in community security management and intelligence gathering.
The meeting ended with a commitment from security agencies, local leaders and community representatives to strengthen cooperation and information sharing in a bid to curb cattle theft and consolidate peace in the two districts.
The engagement comes as security agencies continue efforts to sustain the relative calm that has returned to much of Karamoja following years of cattle rustling, armed violence and insecurity that disrupted livelihoods across the region.