Security state of affairs in Karamoja improves
The security state of affairs in Karamoja region has enhanced in the first three months of this year, with fewer ambushes and large-scale raids reported. Though the security has not been friendly to karamonjong’s in this region, Tourism as well as Uganda tours and safaris has been booming in Kidepo Valley for long without any interferences. That was one of the conclusions of a high-level security meeting in Kotido on March 19, organized by the Minister of Defense and the UPDF top officers. Only four road ambushes had been noted across the region between January and March, according to a report from the meeting, three of them on the Abim-Kotido road and one on the Kotido-Moroto road in which a driver was shot dead. Although large-scale raids had reduced significantly, there have been numerous cattle thefts that led to 18 civilian deaths and 14 injuries, most notably the massacre of 13 women of Achegeretolim village in Nabilatuk sub-county on January 17 by the people of Ltome the report reads. The meeting, which brought together area MPs, district leaders and army officers, also noted that inter-clan raids were being fuelled by cross-border alliances. The Ugandan Dodoth have reportedly allied with the Sudanese Toposa to raid the Jie, while the Jie have formed an alliance with the Kenya Turkana to raid the Dodoth. This does not affect visitors from exploring Uganda national park tours in karamonja region.
They praised the armed forces for rapidly responding to cattle raids. Thousands of stolen animals have been recovered by the UPDF since the beginning of this year and handed over to the owners. To improve communication, mobilization and sensitization on disarmament, the meeting resolved that the Government sets up an FM radio station in Kotido to cover the whole of Karamoja. The radio equipment has already been bought and delivered to the Kotido district headquarters. It was also decided that the Government, together with the army, sets up a plan for communal grazing grounds to bring together rival clans and enhance reconciliation.
The Karimojong leaders pledged full support for the disarmament exercise and pointed out some warriors’ hideouts that were not yet occupied by the UPDF.
The meeting also resolved to increase the Police presence in the region. “The Uganda Police force ensures immediate presence of officers in various towns and trading center in Karamonja as well as recruit special police constables for rural areas,” the report adds.
Karamoja is one of the regions where National parks are found the boost Uganda safaris in the country that is Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo is one of the Uganda’s spectacular parks that harbors scenery unsurpassed in any other in East Africa. Common comments on scenery by clients who tour this part of Uganda and who often promise and do come back is ‘it could be any better’