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Kapelebyong, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents of Aturai village in Kapelebyong district have handed over 204 acres of land to facilitate the establishment of Military Brigade headquarters and its associated infrastructures. The customary land was handed over to UPDF on Tuesday.
It is anticipated that once in place, the installation will foster peace, security, and development of the people of Teso and the neighboring Karamojong community. The brigade headquarters will be established at the center bordering the sub-counties of Nyakwai in Abim, Apeitolim, Poron in Napak, and Ongongoja from Katakwi district.
Jimmy Ben Eriau, the LC III chairperson of Kapelebyong Sub County noted that people have been living in the IDP camp since 2000 due to insecurity caused by Karamojong armed warriors who used to grab people’s properties, rape women and burn homes. He added that they lost over 4500 cattle since the insecurity intensified between 2018 and 2022.
According to Eriau, this background propelled the people of Kapelebyong to offer land for the Military Brigade to contain the situation. He is optimistic that the move will create total peace and improve the livelihoods of people in Kapelebyong.
He said that services such as health and education which come with the military facility support the community have for long been the biggest challenge. Eriau revealed that the nearest secondary school and the health facility are 40 kilometers away from the community making it hard for access.
John Robert Olaboro, a resident of Aturai village noted that the Karamojong started causing havoc in Teso in 1956 and that he was prompted to join the forces with hope that he would try to battle the insurgency and secure his community, in vain.
Olaboro said that the establishment of the Brigade is going to be the only permanent solution to end the wrangles between the two communities. Olaboro also called upon the cultural leadership of Iteso and Karamojong to come together and promote peace dialogues for peaceful coexistence.
Prossy Ajuma, the Okoboi Parish Chief said that the insecurity had frustrated service delivery as warriors kept ambushing civil servants, forcing many of them out of the area. She applauded the government for considering their request to bring the military installation closer and they can now work freely without fear.
Christine Aujo, the Kapelebyong female district councilor said that they have many orphans and widows whose relatives were killed by Karamojong warriors adding that the affected families are now living in a miserable state since they lost their breadwinner.
She noted that the year 2021 was the highest peak of cattle raids despite several peace dialogues they had to address the situation. Aujo noted that they could meet with the Karamojong community to discuss measures for peaceful coexistence but could use an excuse for grazing to cause havoc.
She observed that the Karamojong could only pretend to be calm when they wanted resources such as water and pasture but later could turn violent after satisfaction.
Francis Akorikin, the LCV chairperson of the Kapelebyong district said that the leadership has been engaging the central government to consider beefing up security from Bukedea to border points in Abim district. Akorikin said that their plea was considered and they were tasked to provide land for the establishment of a military brigade for the Teso sub-region.
Akorikin said that the district local government has secured 300 million Shillings to work on the road from Ameseniko to Okoboi which leads to the brigade. He added that they are also engaging the Energy ministry to connect electricity to the parish hosting a brigade while the water facility has already been constructed at the brigade site.
Maj Gen Don Nabasa, the UPDF 3rd division commander said that they have been in Teso hunting for the land to establish a brigade headquarters.
Nabasa applauded the community of Okoboi Parish for accepting to donate land to the security forces at no cost. He assured the community that they were not at a loss for donating their land and noted that warriors from Kotido, Kaabong, and Napak could use the spot for mobilizing before attacking the Kapelebyong communities.
Nabasa said that the area where they intend to set up a brigade headquarters has been a mobility corridor for Karamojong warriors. He said that the brigade headquarters comes with Infrastructure development that is going to benefit the community by 80 percent. Nabasa said that they will establish a health center III and a secondary school where the community will be the highest beneficiaries.
He said that the brigade will also increase the population in the area and this will boost economic activities. He urged the surrounding community to venture into economic growth.
Nabasa also observed that the districts of Kapelebyong and Katakwi had only one battalion which is a drop in an ocean. He said that the establishment of the Brigade which contains have 3 battalions would secure all the hotspot areas for Karamojong and people will enjoy peace.
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