Report accuses UPDF of killing 66 children
FRANK NYAKAIRU | KAMPALA
A charity organisation, Save the Children, has accused the UPDF of killing 66 children in Kotido, Karamoja region at the height of military operations to recover illegal guns in the area.
A 13-page report compiled by the organisation claims that on February 12, 66 children “were reportedly shot, stampeded by frantic animals, or crushed by armoured vehicles.”
The organisation interviewed 256 people in three locations whose accounts indicated the children were shot by troops. Interviewees also reported that “landmines were subsequently laid, with ongoing risks for children and livestock.”
In one incident, the UPDF is accused of faking a public rally and instead facing the guns into the crowd.
“The (Kaputh) kraal community was quickly mobilised to come together to listen to what the military had to say to them. As the people were slowly starting to settle down, the military reportedly began to shoot,” the report said.
“One elder who was mobilising the people and a young boy were the first to be shot. In confusion, people began to run for their lives. As the shooting continued, armoured vehicles advanced to the kraals.”
Another witness narrated, “I saw tyre tracks of armoured vehicles. This was around 10:00 am; and there was a helicopter gunship hovering around in the air although it was not shelling. When I inquired from others what had happened, I was told that the adults and the youth had managed to get away.”
“However, the young children and the elderly were still trapped at the scene. Some children had tried to get away. But because of the shooting, they were utterly confused, and did not know which direction to take. In this confusion, many ran towards the military positions. And so, they were shot at.”
UPDF denies
The UPDF has dismissed the report which it says is a victim of “misinformers and self seekers.”
Third Division spokesman Henry Obbo said on Thursday that on February 12, no child was affected in the military operation apart from what he called “52 serial cattle wrestlers” who were killed.
“Through our intelligence, we discovered a hidden herd of thousands of stolen cattle. We went after them and the herdsmen, hardcore adult criminals opened fire and we pursued them,” Lt. Obbo said.
“We engaged these criminal in three places; Kachire, Loleria and Kailong.” He said the cattle rustlers had resorted to “dressing like women and wearing school children’s uniform to dupe the army they never targeted children.”
Call for probe
Save the Children has called on the government of Uganda to initiate a full investigation into the UPDF practice of forced disarmament and within two months report back to the Ugandan Parliament and the diplomatic community of changes in tactics to ensure better protection of human rights, including the protection of children.
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