The Uganda People’s Deefense Forces has concluded training for Local defense unit personnel’s recruited and deployed by UPDF in Karamoja six months ago under the presidential directive on child rights and protection funded by UNICEF and TPO.

According to the UPDF third division spokesperson Captain Deo Akiiki, the training was conducted at Neku village complex in Soroti district by a team of specialist from both UPDF and the two children organization

The UPDF director of civil military coordinator lieutenant John Bosco Sonko led the UPDF team.

The objective of the training was to keep LDUs and their commanders on guideline on child rights and protection in a unique situation of Karamoja as they carry on their mandate. The training was closed by the new third division commander Brigadier Burundi Nyamunwanisa who in his comments implored the LDUs and commended to implement what they have learnt.

He was sue that the implementation would be easy since LDUs trained are residents of Karamoja who should transform the community by being exemplary.

He emphasized on discouraging female genital mutilation, early marriages, rape marriages, still practiced in the Karamoja mountainous tribes of Tipesi and Pokoti.

He added it is one of children in Karamoja who are the basis of transformation and respect that Karamoja social, economic development would sustainably take place.

On education, Brigadier Burundi emphasized that this is the only way of breaking the cycle of wormwood among the Karamajong communities hence the LDUs and UPDF should look active in education as well.

By mugisa Isaac Mathias