Amudat leaders agree to work with security for peace

Amudat, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Pokot leaders in Amudat district have come to a consensus with security forces to work together to end the current raids between the Pokot and Pian communities. There is tension between the Pokot communities and security forces because of the ongoing operations.

Pokot leaders accuse joint forces of tormenting them in favor of neighboring communities such as Pian and Sabin in Kween. Security forces banned Pokot pastoralists from grazing animals in the neighboring districts following the frequent attacks in the neighborhood by armed warriors.

According to security, some of the Pokot leaders were also involved in criminal activities as some resorted to giving wrong guidance to communities to attack security forces. On Saturday, the security forces conducted a peace meeting with the Amudat leaders and the West Pokot officials from Kenya to harmonize the disagreement and integrate them into the peace process as well as handle the existing tension.

The West Pokot leaders condemned the action of their people who crossed into Uganda months ago, raided livestock and killed security personnel who were tracking the raided livestock. They requested the security to allow them to cross to the neighboring Districts to access pasture since their area is affected by drought.

The Pokot leaders of Amudat also decried the killing of some political leaders by the Pian, which they said was the beginning of counter-killings experienced in the past months. They suggested working together amicably with security forces if peace is to be restored.

Alex Limale, the LC3 Chairperson of Kongorok Sub County in Amudat district noted that the insecurity escalated because the local leaders were sidelined. Limale observed that the community felt abandoned and tormented as security forces paid more attention to the Pian communities.

He added that Pian pastoralists had been peacefully coexisting with the neighbors until Pian armed warriors started provoking them. Limale said that they have been looking for possible means of engaging with the security forces to see how best they can work together for peace.

He also appealed to the leaders from west Pokot in Kenya to always be of help as contact persons to recover raided livestock crossing to their areas. Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander disputed the allegations of security favoring other communities asserting that the mandate of security forces is nationalistic and does not take sides while serving the communities.

Nabasa reiterated that all citizens of Uganda deserve equal protection and they are doing everything possible to develop strong relationships with civilians for peaceful coexistence. ‘’Attacking and killing security forces while performing their constitutional mandate is uncalled for and attackers will be treated as enemies; “Nabasa warned.

Nabasa urged the local leaders to join hands with the forces to end criminality so that they can freely implement government programs and empower communities. In November, the local leaders from the warring Pokot and Pian communities called for joint cattle grazing to foster peace among themselves. This followed a ban of Pokot pastoralists from grazing in the neighboring districts of Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, and Kween after a series of attacks by armed warriors.

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