The 32, all residents of Orum in Loima Constituency, Turkana County were arrested on April 8, 2023, at Nadunget about 50 kilometers from Moroto during an operation conducted by Uganda People’s Defence Forces and police.
One person was killed during the operation, officials said.
A joint operation conducted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Police in Lokiriaut, Nadunget Sub County in Moroto Uganda saw 129 suspects arrested on April 8, 2023.
Three days later on Tuesday and 32 Kenyans out of the 129 who were arrested were sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
They were convicted on their own plea of guilty in a court session presided by the 3rd Division Court Martial Chairman, Colonel Bernard Tuhame.
The convicts all from Orum, Loima Constituency in Turkana County were allegedly found in possession of 31 guns, 752 rounds of ammunition, and 19 bows, and arrows during the operation which was conducted about 50 kilometers from Moroto Town last Saturday.
Uganda military conducted the operation after receiving intelligence reports that it was a hideout for guns.
Six other people among them a Ugandan soldier were injured in the operation.
Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe while questioning Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki on insecurity incidences in their region made reference to the conviction of the 32 Kenyans.
“In Uganda there are Turkanas, 32 of them who were condoned, roughed up and imprisoned through the court martial in Uganda …,” said the MP.
Loima Member of Parliament Protus Akujah questioned the decision of the court martial saying the process was hurriedly done and that his constituents lacked legal representation during the trial.
Akujah said this is the second time Kenyans are being jailed in a court martial in Uganda.
He has since appealed to the Kenya Defence Forces leadership and the Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community Rebecca Miano to intervene failure to which he will appeal the decision.
