By Steven Enatu
SOROTI
Teso youths under the umbrella of Teso Student Development Association (TESDA) together with their counterparts, the Karamoja Student Development association have embarked on a process to mend the deteriorating relationship between the two communities of Karamoja and the Iteso which all fall under Ateker.
The move follows the fresh insecurity in Karamoja characterized by cattle theft and killings even when the government is carrying out disarmament exercises in the region.
The situation has led to bad blood between the Iteso who suffer from the spillover effect of this and the Karamojongs mostly the border districts of Kapeleyong and Katakwi where raiding and killings saw some community members ending in refuge settlement for example in Kapelebyong where 5 lives were lost in the recent attacks.
In a peace dialogue organized by TESDA with support from Teso Religious Leaders Effort Peace and Reconciliation (TERELEPAR) and Teso Initiative for Peace (TIP) together with the youth from Karamoja on the 24th June 2022 convened at Kapelebyong District headquarters, problems causing the persistent insecurity in the region and resolutions were made.
During the discussions, the youths from Karamoja asked for a peaceful co-existence between the two communities stressing that insecurity in the region is influenced by the fact that some Karamojong warriors are finding it hard to migrate from gun economy to the normal cash economy of venturing into business like chapati making.
According to Emmanuel Chero, one of the youths from Karamoja, there are two categories of Karamojong, those who have adapted to cash economy and are living in trading centers and the ones in the villages.
“These ones in the villages still see raiding especially between the Jie and Turkana as the only source of livelihood,” he said.
He said the government needs to forge a way of integrating the Karamojong community into the Agriculture and Mineral economy and also build clear road networks in the region.
“This move will destroy the isolated villages and bushes for the warriors to hide and also spur development because there will be transportation of goods and establish URA offices at the central points to collect tax,” he said.
Paul Scholes Lopyan, the chairperson Karamoja Students Development Association noted that the insecurity is due to the unaddressed gaps within the communities by the government. He said much as the government is disarming the warriors, they are left destitute and not empowered economically.
“we need civic-military cooperation for total transformative peace action, the government needs to stop coming to impose their directive but rather work with the communities down, they know where the problem is” he stressed.
As young people, Lopyan noted that since the military approach has not brought out results since the early 90’s, the youths have now taken the mantle to develop a diplomatic approach by instilling the understanding of peace, unity and love between the two communities.
Resolutions for peace
The youth resolved that peace clubs be established from village levels up to district levels through setting up peace committees both in schools and villages. This the youths believe will instill the understanding of peace in children and when this is done, there will be a lasting peace between the two communities.
The youths resolved that there is a need for policy makers and development partners to develop alternative economic activities for Karamoja that can divert their minds from being majorly pastoralists.
Government through the Ministry of Agriculture should establish water for production and irrigation in both Karamoja and Teso districts.
During the dialogue, it was resolved that the government should take full charge of the porous borders to ensure that illicit guns don’t enter in the region and also have the Teso Karamoja youth carnival where the two communities would meet and play games such as soccer and cultural exhibitions. This they believe will restore peace amidst the youths.
Meanwhile the youths from Karamoja said that the government needs to appoint a minister for Karamoja affairs from Karamoja, a person who resonates and communicates in the language they best understand.
Joseph Ojatum the patron Teso Student Development Association said they will follow up with the resolutions to ensure that they are implemented.
Francis Akoikin the local council five chairperson Kapelebyong District said some of the resolutions they will adopt as council and forward to the national level for implementation.
The Resident District Commissioner Kapelebyong District, James Kidega vowed to support youths in their quest for peace between the two communities.
“I come from Acholi and I was once a youth. By the time the LRA insurgency was at its peak in our region, we the youth chose peace over violence and we were able to restore peace. I believe in your course and will push these resolutions to the President for implementation,” he said.
Kidega added that for the society to be calmed, the youths must be informed.
He further advised the Karamojong elite youths to talk to the elders who the warriors go to for blessings to desist from the act.
“Time has gone for you to blame one another, it’s time to work together for peace knowing that humanity rotates, it doesn’t stay in one place, the same person you hate today one time you will meet somewhere when you need his or her help the most” Kidega said.
