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Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Joint Security Forces and leaders in the Karamoja sub-region have resumed peace dialogues to address the resurging insecurity.
The region experienced some relative peace for the last nine months following peace dialogues which led to the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms.
However, in the last four months, cases of insecurity were reported in the sub-counties of Rupa, Katikekile, and Lotisan which resulted in the temporary closure of the three schools in Moroto district. There have also been isolated cases of cattle raids between Kotido district and their neighboring districts in the Acholi sub-region.
On Wednesday, the Security forces met with the two warring communities of Tepeth and Matheniko in Nakiloro Trading Centre for Peace dialogue where they committed an end to the recycling of insecurity.
The two communities agreed to put aside their differences and work together in peace peace-building process to pave the way for the development.
The community members of the Nakiloro and Kakingol areas however agreed to live harmoniously amongst themselves and they showed the will to expose all the wrong elements that have been causing insecurity in the two areas.
Another peace dialogue that attracted security forces, religious leaders, and political leaders from North Karamoja and the neighboring district of the Acholi sub-region was conducted in Kotido district to reaffirm their commitment to ending criminality and promoting peace.
Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs said that they are ready to face and fight criminals who have kept the region backward despite government efforts to develop the area.
Lokeris urged senior leaders to engage pastoral communities, foster unity, and develop a roadmap for reconciliation and harmonious coexistence, building trust and sustaining peace.
“We must live and work in brotherhood,” he stressed.
Christopher Obol, the LC5 Chairperson of Kitgum district called for tangible solutions to permanently end the conflicts between Karamoja and its neighbors.
Obol emphasized the historical peaceful co-existence of the Karamojong and Acholi communities, urging that peace should not be compromised by criminal raids.
David Lagen, the Member of Parliament for Agago County stressed that security measures and resolutions should prioritize peacebuilding, not political motives. He advocated for compulsory education for the younger generation.
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