Karimojong pastoralists flee from Turkana attacks
Running to safety. Karimojong pastoralists with livestock in Kotido District flee on Sunday over fears of continuous attacks by Turkana pastoralists from Kenya. PHOTO BY STEVEN ARIONG
What you need to know:
- Refuge. It was reported that the affected pastoralists are seeking refuge at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces detachment in Kotido District.
Hundreds of Karimojong pastoralists in Kotido District have fled from attacks by the neigbouring Turkana pastoralists from Kenya, one-and-a-half months since Uganda and Kenya agreed to cease hostility and end cross-border raids.
The exodus started on Sunday evening following a two-day attack after the Turkana incursion into the area.
The fleeing pastoralists said hundreds of their animals have either been killed or stolen.
They have also reported deaths, which Daily Monitor was unable to independently verify. The affected pastoralists are seeking refuge at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) detachment in Kotido District.
Mr John Losike, one of the pastoralists, said the armed Turkana’s pastoralists have attacked them more than 15 times, allegedly raiding their animals and raping their women.
“We do not know why government removed guns from us. We are being mistreated,” he said.
Mr Mark Lopus, another pastoralist, said he lost all his 70 head of cattle in the attack and the UPDF have not followed up the matter.
Mr Ambrose Tukei, the Kotido District chairman, said the current attacks by the Turkana would trigger rearmament among the Karimojong.
He called upon the army to double their efforts to contain the situation before it gets out of hand.
Mr Peter Logiro, the Resident District Commissioner, said both animals and human beings have been killed in the raids by the armed Turkana pastoralists.
“From October 25 to date, the Turkana pastoralists have sustained attacks on the Karimojong pastoralists in Kotido and they have raided many livestock and killed people,” he said.
Mr Samson Lokeris, the Member of Parliament for Dodoth East County in Kaabong District, said the sustained attacks on the Karimojong show that the recently signed memorandum of understanding by President Museveni and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyata has failed to work.
Army responds
Major Telesphor Turyamumanya, the UPDF 3rd Division spokesperson, urged the Karimajong not to revenge. He promised that the army would do everything to restore peace and recover all the stolen animals.
“It’s unfortunate that the Turkana pastoralists are abusing the hospitality that Uganda has given to them to graze their livestock in Uganda but as army we are on the ground to address that,” he said.
