Investors have begun to depart from Karamoja mining locations, citing rising instability in the region. Despite the disarmament exercise and security operations on suspected warriors, Karamoja has seen increased instability in recent months. ( Mining investors are fleeing Karamoja as insecurity grows )
The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have admitted to killing at least 385 warriors in Karamoja since the start of their operations last year, however local officials claim the number is much higher.
Mohamed Ali, the director of African Leg Investment, which excavates limestone near Moroto, claims he decided to withdraw his workers from the Kosiroi mining site due to ongoing warrior attacks.
“We are not safe in Karamoja; I will return to work once the situation has stabilized,” he stated.
Patrick Musingusi of Harms Investment in Lopedo, Kaabong district, says armed rustlers took over the facility he had built for his staff and forced him to cease his operations.
“I have closed my site because the lives of my staff are in danger, and the situation is dire,” he explained.
Arnold Ananura of Moroto’s Samit Group Ltd, which trades in marble stones, claimed he had abandoned his location because the situation is intolerable.
“I abandoned my site, and my staff are in Moroto town, because the same location where we work is where three geologists were killed by armed warriors in March,” he explained.
According to Charles Karoli of Leadway Uganda Ltd, which specializes in marble mining in the Rupa sub-county, their intention to build a stone crushing plant for marble stones has been halted.
“We were in the process of building a marble crushing facility, but the scenario has failed us. We’re trapped with what we’ve got “he remarked.
Karoli urges the administration to put an end to the existing insecurity in the region so that investments can take place. According to Jino Meri, the Kaabong district LC V chairwoman, most of the sub-counties that rely on money from mineral transportation are in decline.
According to Mohamed Ismail, the mayor of Moroto Municipality, there has been an influx of street beggars, the majority of whom have been expelled from mining sites in Rupa sub-county.
“I’m concerned about a burglary occurring in the municipality since we are receiving people, including children, who have been surviving from mining and are now all begging in the municipality streets, which is unsafe,” he said.
According to Joseph Lokut, a resident of Moroto district’s Rupa sub-county, the rustlers have now shifted to looting and killing people because there are no more animals to raid. ( Mining investors are fleeing Karamoja as insecurity grows – celebrity jazz ug )
