Newly discovered rock paintings to boost tourism in Karamoja

Some of the lions found in the park. Photo by Steven Ariong

What you need to know:

New. After successful disarmament of the Karimojong who made the area insecure, ancient paintings were discovered in several rocks in Moroto recently

Karamoja region has for the past decades been characterised by chronic underdevelopment and marginalisation due to insecurity and resultant factors such as poor infrastructure and low literacy levels, among others.

The region’s rainfall patterns are low, with an average of 500-700 milliliters of rainfall per year. But in contrast to purely pastoralist areas in the region, including the neighbouring Turkana,
Karamoja is an agro-pastoralist area. However, the natural environment is subject to variations which are scarcely predictable, and are often unexpected.

According to the metrologies’ reports, the region’s rainy season “normally” begins late in March or early April; and it then continue with reasonable regularity until late September or early October when the dry season begins.

Despite its challenges, Karamoja has great potential as a tourist hub. Most popular is Kidepo National Park that boasts of a variety of animals, including the lions, cheetahs, elands and elephant. According to Uganda Wild Life Authority(UWA) website, the park has 475 bird species of which 56 are birds of prey.
UWA recently embarked on the refurbishment and construction of accommodation facilities in Karamoja game reserves such as Matheniko and Pian Upe to enhance tourism in the region.

Some members of staff of Apoka Safari Lodge in Kidepo Valley Naitonal Park perform a Karimojong traditional dance


Currently, private operator Wild Places runs Apoka Safari Lodge in Kidepo Naitonal Park.
The region was thrown into international limelight in 2011 when Ugandan and French scientists unearthed a 20 million-year-old fossil skull of an ancient primate, more specifically a tree-climbing ape in Napak Mountain, Napak District.

The lead researcher, Dr Martin Pickford, a paleontologist from Collège de France in Paris, told the media that this discovery was the result of the cumulative efforts of researchers for 25 years, and they hope it will throw new light on the process of evolution. The remains were taken to Paris to be x-rayed and documented. However, this is not the first time fossils have been discovered in the region. The Uganda Museum Website, states:

“Since 1920, Uganda has been a key country for the study of the origins of the great apes and humans. In particular, several discoveries were made in Karamoja at the end of the 1950s.”

However, these expeditions were halted, only to be continued in 1985, following a research agreement between Ugandan Museum in Kampala, the Geological Survey of Uganda in Entebbe, the French National Museum of Natural History and Collège de France in Paris.

Karamoja’s rocks are an attraction too as they stand out of the landscape. They include Kadam Rock in Nakapiripirit, Napak Rock in Napak District and Mount Moroto.

In 2010, ancient paintings were discovered on Kobebe hills in Moroto District, Nakapeliet rock, Loteleit rock, Mogoth rock, and Nakadanya rock. The images of animals and people grazing while carrying bows and arrows are painted in reddish colour. “We are now able to discover these rock paintings because government has successful disarmed the Karimojong, who had made the area insecure and not conducive for tourism.

I hope the region can harness the benefits of this,” said Mr James Okware, the senior warden officer in charge of Matheniko, Bokora game reserve.

Such rock art characterised the Cushitic tribes who may have come to Karamoja about 3,000 years ago.

The expedition was a partnership of experts from the Uganda Museum, the Department of Antiques, Museums and Monuments and Italian researchers from the Universities of Toscana and Florence.

Tourists admire rock paintings in Moroto District recently.

However, Mr Okware reveals that it was only recently that UWA opened up a road that can help lead tourists to the sites. Funds are being sought to fence off the sites for protection from animals and manage tourism.

Speaking on this attraction, Kelley MacTavish-Mungar, the executive director Pearl of Africa Tours & Travel Limited, says the discovery is a very major landmark in the tourism industry as it spells significant value to humanity. “The rock paintings should be well protected since they define our history and it will enable tourists connect with Uganda’s past,” MacTavish says.

New opportunities
Vivian Lyazi, the principal Tourism officer at the Minstry of Tourism, concurs with MacTavish, highlighting: “The paintings are going to lure a lot of tourists in the region, especially those of the scientific nature.

Karamoja has been known for Kidepo National Park, welcoming attraction because of the wilderness.” However, Lyazi emphasises that a lot of promotion has to be done so that the new discoveries are made known to the public.

“We have to improve access roads, avail more literature so that people are more tuned to access all this and marketing has to be done as well,” she says, adding that other attractions like the two valleys; Kidepo and Narusi valley with water flowing from the hills into them and the unique culture offer an amazing experience in the region.

Challenges
The tourism capacity of the region is still in jeopardy as it is relatively low with mainly independent travellers, who travel by bus to the park .

“Some of the major challenges are unpaved roads, which are bumpy and rough, bad weather, inconsistence with service providers and few eating places,” notes Kelley MacTavish-Mungar, the executive director Pearl of Africa Tours & Travel Limited.

Other challenges include inadequate electricity and water provision, limited accommodation and like other tourist attractions, the effects of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, as well as terrorism.

Vivian Lyazi, the principal Tourism officer at the Minstry of Tourism, argues that residents need to take part in the development of the areas where these attractions are located so as to improve the appeal of the region.

Tour operator MacTavish believes cooperation of government and other stake holders; travel companies, tourists in promoting the region’s potential, is the key.