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Kapelebyong, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kapelebyong district authorities have stopped Karamojong pastoralists from entering the district to graze their livestock.
Over the years, Kapelebyong and Amuria districts have been the only places that Karamojong pastoralists cross to graze their livestock during drought.
Francis Akorikin, the LCV chairperson of Kapelebyong says that stopping the Karamojong from crossing to Kapelebyong was a precaution aimed at stopping the loss of livestock by the people of Kapelebyong.
Kapelebyong now joins other districts of Lango and Acholi which have banned Karamojong pastoralists from crossing to their districts accusing them of cattle rustling.
Joseph Komol, the LCV chairperson of Kotido, and his Napak counteroart, John Paul Kodet have asked the leaders of Kapelebyong to reconsider their decisions.
“I am requesting the leadership of Kapelebyong to reconsider their decision because banning them is going to affect the people of Kotido and Napak,” Kodet said.
According to Kodet, most Karamojong pastoralists also run with their animals to Teso trying to escape raiders.
Samuel Korobe, an elder and a cross-border peace mobilizer for Teso said the decision by Kapelebyong will affect the cattle keepers who are desperately searching for pasture.
“The decision taken by my good friend chairperson Kapelebyong and his team is harsh and needs to be revisited.”
Paul Lokol, the LCV chairperson Nabilatuk said that he understands the decision by Kapelebyong. He says that security personnel seem not to have not helped the district get rid of criminals in the area and urged the UPDF and police to clean up Kapelebyong for the sake of peace.
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