Umar Ochen Bashir, a prominent leader guiding the Toyoro Kongokinyinyir Nopimpim (Survive with Your Sweat) Slow Food Community Group, highlighted a pressing issue at the Alvers Hotel in Mukono.
Paul Lokol, the Nabilatuk LC V Chairperson, says that the current situation cannot allow them to concentrate on sensitizing people about PDM when almost every household is starving. Lokol says that the current food crisis in Karamoja is not because of crop failure but due to the insecurity that rocked the region recently.
Joseph Lobot, the Amudat District LC V Chairperson, says that Karamoja needs to be compensated because not all the people in the region are involved in cattle raids and killings.
The procurement of the weighbridges follows several calls from different stakeholders over the absence of proper measures to determine taxes from the minerals and also to help control the load on the trucks to protect roads from damage.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defense Force- UPDF soldiers at the 3rd Division recovered 150 illegal guns in the hands of civilians across the nine districts of Karamoja. This is almost twice, the number of guns recovered in 2019 and 2018 in the region.
Dennis Omara Dbekas, the Abim Council Speakers says the district has lost a very strong, courageous and foresighted leader who devoted herself to exposing the rot in the district.
In 2018, Teso leaders, after meeting their counterparts in Karamoja resolved that no Karimojong pastoralist will access pastures or water from Teso during the dry season without registration.
The pastoralists are saying they are not seeing any impact of the signed memorundum of understanding given the fact that there is still growing cattle rusttling between the Turkana, Karimojong and West Kenyan Pokot cattle keepers.
In a meeting between Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and district officials, Abdullah Maziwa, Secretary Works and Technical Services in Moroto District Council asked the unit to investigate both the contractor and Ministry of Gender.
Napak and Katakwi districts have been embroiled in the conflict that has caused loss of lives and now instigating tribal differences between the Iteso and Karimojong.
Christine Akot, the Moroto District Vice Chairperson says joint campaigns help the electorate to make informed choices after hearing from all candidates in the same date. She also stresses that joint campaigns reduce fatigue and confusion of the electorate.
The latest victim is Puchi Napenyangura, 25, resident of Lopuyo village in Rengen Sub County, Kotido district. Puchi was allegedly killed by Benjamin Lootan at Warrior’s Street in Kaabong Town Council after a quarrel related to cattle thefts.
Sande Lokii Samaria, 61, a retired Police Sergeant broke down before the Commission while speaking about her land that was reportedly given to Nakapiripirit Primary School without her knowledge. Sande explained that the land grabbers left her family without any land or bother to explain their actions.
In 1961, Athiyo and the late Choudhry Lokwang went to Lancaster in the UK to make a case for the independence representing the people of Karamoja. Their move came at a time when the Colonial Government had set an agenda that Karamoja should remain under their rule, something Athiyo strongly opposed.
Christine Akot, the Moroto District Vice Chairperson, says it is an opportunity for Karamoja to host the Commission, something she feels, will give way to land reforms.
Janet Akwang, the Project Manager of Child Protection with Cooperation and Development, an organization dealing with issues of Street children in Karamoja observes a need to apprehend people aiding street life in the suburbs of Kisenyi and Katwe in Kampala City, where most of the children go, as soon as they arrive in Kampala.
