By Prosper Gibolo
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pardoned 31 Karachuna from Kotido District who have been in jail at various prisons for years over alleged crimes of murder, possession of illegal firearms, and cattle rustling.
The freed convicts were received by the Kotido Resident District Commissioner Charles Ichogor, who doubles as the chairperson of the District Security Committee on Wednesday.
Addressing the media in his office, Ichogor said that the 31 former convicts were released three days ago following a directive from President Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief (CiC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
Ichogor added that this is the first batch to be released and that others are going to be released soon as per the communication from the security forces.
The RDC revealed that his office in collaboration with other district officials is going to ensure that these are integrated into their respective communities.
According to Ichogor, the ex-convicts will be enrolled to benefit Shs 1 million under the Parish Development Model (PDM) to enable them start up income-generating activities that will support their lives and families.
Speaking to our reporter Prosper Gibol, Joseph Loyoo Joseph and Lemu Alugo Ngorok, among other ex-convicts among others, asked the government to support them with alternative sources of livelihood since they have surrendered their guns.
The presidential pardon follows repeated calls from Karamoja leaders for President Museveni to release over 4000 Karachunas who are incarcerated in various prisons across the country over various crimes.
In November, 2025, Cecilia Dodoi, the district female councilor for Maaru Sub-county who doubles as chairperson Maaru Women Peace Forum called on the president to exercise his prerogative of mercy under Article 121(4) (a) of the Constitution, and set free all the Karachuna who were arrested by the UPDF during Usalama Kwa Yote operations.
She argued that many are innocent and need alternative livelihoods, not just imprisonment, to stop cattle rustling, following increased government amnesty efforts and disarmament drives for former warriors.
Paul Lokol, the LCV Chairperson of Nabilatuk district noted that several youths were arrested out of anger by soldiers during the general cordon and search operations.
Lokol said that some of the youth were arrested innocently and there is a need for proper screening of the convicts before releasing them.
Their plea has started yielding tangible results as the president has started releasing the Karachuna in a phased manner as the general elections approaches.
