A mother in Nabilatuk District has handed over an illegal firearm and six rounds of ammunition to police after discovering that her son, who is wanted by security authorities, had allegedly hidden the weapon.
Santina Achia, a resident of Ariamawoi Village in Nabilatuk Town Council, surrendered the firearm on Monday to police in the Mt. Moroto region.
The weapon, identified as a submachine gun (SMG), was allegedly in the possession of her son, Michael Teko, who is currently at large.
According to Achia, security forces had been searching for Teko over allegations that he was illegally possessing a firearm. She said her son went into hiding after learning that authorities were looking for him.
Achia said she later discovered where Teko had concealed the firearm and decided to hand it over to security authorities rather than keep it in her possession.
She said her decision was motivated by the need to prevent the weapon from remaining in the community, particularly at a time when security agencies are conducting operations to recover illegal firearms in Karamoja.
Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed the recovery of the firearm and ammunition.
Longole praised Achia for voluntarily surrendering the weapon, describing her action as courageous and patriotic and saying it supports ongoing efforts to improve security and restore peace in the Karamoja sub-region.
However, he clarified that the recovery of the firearm does not end the search for Teko, who remains wanted by security forces.
Longole said illegal firearms are sometimes concealed within communities, making the cooperation of residents, parents and local leaders essential in efforts to recover the weapons and prevent them from being used in criminal activities.
He appealed to families with information about people keeping illegal guns to encourage them to surrender the weapons voluntarily before they are arrested.
“We continue to appeal to the public, especially parents and community leaders, to persuade their children who are still in possession of illegal guns to surrender them voluntarily before they are apprehended,” Longole said.
The latest recovery comes as security agencies continue operations across Karamoja to trace and recover illegal firearms and ammunition, which authorities have repeatedly associated with insecurity, including cattle-related violence.
Police have also urged residents to share information about people suspected of possessing illegal guns and to encourage them to surrender the weapons voluntarily as part of efforts to promote lasting peace in the region.
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