Following a directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to close gold mining sites in Okemer, Abim District, the 5 Infantry Division of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces has beefed up deployment to keep it out of bounds to avoid illegal mining.
The directive followed a surge in gold mining activities in Alerek and Chamkok Sub-Counties, which prompted President Museveni through the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, to order the deployment of personnel to the mine sites to facilitate the formalization of mining operations in the area.
Brigadier General Keith Katungi, Commander 5 Infantry Division, clarified that the UPDF’s deployment is intended to safeguard mining sites because it is a Government natural resource, The assurance was made during his engagement with the Kakoka community, in Abim aimed at addressing concerns and promoting understanding.
He said that the gold reserves in Abim are a national asset, belonging to all Ugandans and not exclusively to the Acholi and Lango communities. He emphasized that the UPDF deployment is aimed at protecting this valuable national resource, ensuring its benefits accrue to the entire nation.
Adei Peter, a resident of Nyakwai, extended a heartfelt apology to the Division Commander on behalf of his community for the unfounded allegations against the UPDF. He emphasized the importance of unity among community members and urged them to work together to formalize their operations through proper registration.
In a related development, Mr. John Ariko, the ABIM chairman LC5, expressed gratitude to the UPDF for providing a helicopter that helped chase away wild animals, including elephants and buffaloes, that had been migrating from Kidepo Valley National Park to local communities, destroying crops and homes. He said that these animals, in search of water, would often break into the communities, eating crops and sometimes even attacking residents.
Ariko, however, noted that the wild animals had returned, prompting him to request further assistance from the UPDF in chasing them away. The Division Commander observed that the animals’ migration is due to the lack of water within the park, explaining that this scarcity drives them to seek water sources in nearby communities.
It is against this background that the government ordered for opening up of dams in parks. As a result, the UPDF Engineers Brigade will handle the construction of the dams in Kidepo Valley National Park at a cost of Uganda shillings 16 billion as opposed to Uganda shillings 48 billion which was quoted earlier.
The meeting was attended by 509 Bde Commander Lt Col Caleb Kasheya , Dpc Abim SP Akampurura Peter, Diso Abim Mr Sagal Henry and many others.
Capt Edrin Mawanda
Public Information officer 5th Division.
