Minister Byabagambi warns Turkana pastoralists against entering Uganda with guns

The minister for Karamoja affairs Mr John Byabagambi has warned Turkana pastoralists against entering into Uganda with their guns.

Mr Byabagambi made the warning on Sunday in reference to four consecutive raids allegedly conducted by the armed Turkana pastoralists in Kaabong and Kotido.

He said although Uganda has been hospitable enough to accommodate many pastoralists from different parts of east Africa, government will not allow armed pastoralists to graze in Uganda.

The Turkana are Kenya’s second largest pastoral group and keep crossing into Uganda in search of water and pasture.

Karamoja sub region is currently host to about 70,000 Turkana pastoralists who entered the country with more than 100,000 livestock following the persistent drought in northwest Kenya.

They are currently grazing in the areas of Kobebe in Moroto, Loyoro, Kamion and Kalapata in Kaabong District.

During Tarehe Sita celebrations in Moroto District in February 2015, President Museveni said Kenyan Turkana and Pokot pastoralists were free to cross into Uganda to graze their animals on conditions that they were not armed.

Mr Byabagambi also warned the Karimojong pastoralists not to provoke the Turkana and urged them to live in harmony.

“I also have no problem with the Turkana and Pokot pastoralists crossing into Karamoja to graze but they should not dare come with arms,” he said.

According to Byabagambi government will not allow Karamoja sub region to become insecure again.
Karamoja continues to enjoy relative peace after successful disarmament exercise where government collected up to 40,000 illegal guns from the Karimojong pastoralists.