Karimojong, Turkana reconcile
What you need to know:
The communities say there is no reason to continue fighting each other yet their origin is the same.
Kotido. Five pastoralist communities from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan have agreed to come together as the Ateker Clan and end conflicts.
During the Moruanyace peace and cultural commemoration under the theme “Tracing the route of Ateker clan” in Kotido District on Sunday, the Karimojong, Iteso, Turkana, Nyangatom and Toposa washed their feet as a symbol of cleanness.
The function, organised by Uganda and Kenya governments, was attended by more than 5,000 Ateker members.
Mr John Lopuke, an elder from Turkana in Kenya, said there was no need for them to continue killing each other since the communities came from the same origin.
“We are one people despite the fact that some tribes went beyond Karamoja and Turkana land but our origin is one,” Mr Lopuke said.
The communities have always been involved in clashes fuelled by cattle rustling.
The Turkana county governor, Mr Josephat Nanok, hailed the Uganda government for disarming the Karimojong, saying the exercise had brought peace among the Ateker community.
Since 2001, UPDF has collected more than 39,000 guns from Karimojong cattle rustlers.
Mr Nanok said the Kenyan government had also carried out the exercise in Pokot and Turkana communities.
Hailed
“What Uganda’s President has done to disarm the Karimojong is a big achievement which we the Kenyans and also following,” he said.
The Minister for Gender, Ms Mary Karooro Okurut, who was the chief guest, said Uganda was happy with the peace in Karamoja, adding that several developmental projects had been rolled out in the region.
Ms Okurut urged the Ateker communities to unite and fight for development as the only means that can change their lifestyle.
“My ministry is committed to support culture and we shall work hard to wards building strong cultures,” she said.
