|
 Karamoja Sub-region is the most arid area of Uganda. The main livelihood activity of the Karamojong is herding livestock, which has social and cultural importance. Crop cultivation is a secondary activity, undertaken only in areas where it is practicable. Due to the arid climate of the region, the Karamojong have always practiced a sort of pastoral transhumance, where for 3-4 months in a year, they move their livestock to the neighbouring districts in search of water and pasture for their animals. The availability of food and water is always a concern and has an impact on the Karamojong interaction with other ethnic groups.
The Karamojong have been involved in various conflicts centered on the practice of cattle raids. The Karamojong are in constant conflict with their neighbours in Uganda, Sudan and Kenya due to frequent cattle raids. In recent years the nature and the outcome of the raids have become increasingly violent with the acquisition of AK47s by the Karamojong.
One of the most critical issues emanating from key leaders and communities is that criminality has overtaken the peaceful Karamojong and this is leading to gun related violence.
The above situation calls for leaders, communities in general to work towards the establishment of law and order to promote a peaceful environment that will contribute to the general development of the region. This is what NUREP and key partners are attempting to promote. New Lives Newsletter visited Kaabong District’s remote and violence prone Karenga Sub-county and held discussions with Hon. Peter Abach, Chairman LC III Karenga Sub-county on Law and Order.
Long history of violence
According to Hon. Abach, Karenga Sub-county is in the extreme northwestern part of Karamoja bordering Acholiland, the famous Kidepo Valley National Park and the Sudan. It is a melting pot of ethnic groups and cultures that are from both within and without. The population of the sub-county is 36,207 people according to the 2002 census. It boasts of 10,000 school going children, the highest number in the entire Karamoja. The population are predominantly farmers, previous used to keep livestock, however incessant raiding by all the other Karamojong groups has completely discouraged the residents of the sub-county from keeping livestock. The raids that Karenga Sub-county has suffered are indeed a reflection of a breakdown in law and order.
Security
Hon Abach argues that co-existence with the Karamojong is essential since communities in Karenga do not carry out raids. He explains that lack of a police post in the sub-county has contributed greatly to the poor law and order situation. In 1991, the LRA attacked Karenga Sub-county and literally razed the police post and the officers were subsequently withdrawn and replaced by the army.
This replacement was meant to restore security in the area. However the orientation of the army is not towards ensuring law and order. Most of the youth in Karenga have become wayward; there are high rates of domestic violence, drug abuse is on the increase and the worst part is that the offenders feel untouchable!
Credit to NUREP
Today the police post houses only two policemen. All is not lost however, NUREP must be credited for having consulted and proposed that the police post in Karenga be rehabilitated. This will enable the deployment of a contingent of 70 policemen. These would constitute a critical base for the re-establishment of law and order. Hon. Abach is pleased that the issue of the housing the officers in decent surroundings. The law and order situation will improve drastically once the officers are housed in the rehabilitated structures.
NUREP has started off well in Moroto
The population of Moroto District is projected at 250,000. The district has nine sub-counties. Moroto District is endowed with natural resources which are still un-tapped. If well harnessed, the communities can cross the poverty line. Such resources include gum-Arabic, aloe vera, minerals, etc. Despite the endowment, the people are still wallowing in poverty. This is because of the high level of insecurity occasioned by the Karacuna both within and without the district (inter-clan raids, etc). Furthermore, basic social services are lacking, road network is poor, while the generally harsh climate has affected the people adversely. The cattle economy is collapsing and the absence of the cow makes the Karimojong family extremely vulnerable.
NUREP has started off well in Moroto. This is because of its participatory approach to planning. Partners are happy though the level pf support needs to be increased. An example of NUREP support is St Daniel Comboni Secondary School. The community around St Daniel Comboni has commenced the construction of a classroom block for the students who are currently accommodated at a neighboring primary school. There will be a staff room that will accord the teachers a level of privacy. The complete package of NUREP support includes construction of 2 classrooms, an office, chain link fence and staff room.
Moroto District Administration looks forward to the next phase funding by NUREP. The relationship with NUREP is good. Consultations take place before any decisions are made and communities are involved. There are many challenges faced by communities and partners in Moroto. Primary among these is that NGO’s in Moroto lack the capacity to respond adequately and professionally to a call for proposals.
Secondly, contracting the private sector is also a challenge. The private sector in Moroto and Karamoja in general lack the capacity to meet the bench marks set by NUREP. More support is required for the Karamoja region in order to support the communities to cross the poverty line so Karamoja can be at par with the rest of the country.
Safe water for Kotido
One of the most critical challenges facing Karamoja Sub-region is lack of water. Kotido District has a population of 157,000 people the residents are largely dependent on livestock keeping. The district has low water coverage of 27%, compared to the national water coverage average.
According to Mr. Ambrose Achola, Water Officer, Kotido District, the rapid rate of population growth in Kotido has contributed to the increased demand for water. He states that the current water supply system in Kotido was designed over a decade ago. The earlier design was exclusively for the institution of the police in the district. In 1997, this design was refurbished and extended to other segments of the general population. Overtime, the emergence of roadside water kiosks led to soaring prices for the scarce commodity.
Mr. Achola argues that there is a need to increase the supply of water to the residents in a much more organized manner. This means the pumping and storage capacity ought to improve.
NUREP Intervention
The current status of water supply in Kotido leaves a lot to be desired. There are numerous illegal extensions done in an unprofessional manner. The large number of kiosks also contributes to water not reaching the end users. The population of Kotido Town Council is 13,509; the NUREP funded project is attempts to meet the needs of a majority of the residents. The rapid growth of the town has seen the increase in economic activities which in effect will support the sustainability of the project since they will be able to pay for the service. According to Eng. Fredrick Oyo, Programme Engineer, NUREP the programme will rehabilitate the water works phase I. Based on a feasibility study undertaken by the Directorate of Water Development (DWD), the total sum required for a complete overhaul of the system is Ushs. 2 billion. The high cost explains why the focus of NUREP is phase I.
NUREP seeks to tackle the water supply challenge in Kotido Town Council, right from the source. The pumps will be replaced and the generators made to work at their full capacity. The capacity of the pipes will also be enhanced. The leaking storage tanks will also be repaired to increase the storage capacity and ensure a consistent supply of water. The private operators will ensure that the refurbished water system is sustainable.
Kotido District Appeals for Support
Kotido District is a one county district. Historically it was part of greater Karamoja. According to Hon Darlington Lomario, Chairman LCV, the NUREP intervention is most welcome in Kotido District. “We appreciate the NUREP program in totality. The population in Kotido District is in a crisis largely as a result of lack of sufficient resources in terms of growth, water for production and water for consumption.
There have been a number of pronouncements passed stopping the pastoralists from Kotido and other parts of Karamoja venturing beyond the boundaries of their district. This has affected the herdsmen in Kotido District since the district is the most arid in Karamoja region. The guidelines were prepared by the army’s third division. It is important therefore that partners such as NUREP support the process of providing both water for consumption and production.
Beyond Kotido town council, it is important that partners explore other areas for water in production, for example windmills, solar, etc. a case in point is Nakapelimoru community where up to 40,000 people are benefiting from a water project that is solar powered.
Message
Hon Lomario calls for the program to broaden intervention and expresses gratitude for the important role NUREP plays in the district. Other areas of support the chairman would like NUREP to intervene include education, roads and health. The chairman further notes that the 354,000 cows in the district require a dam. The Loongor dam would be ideal if it is de-silted.
|
Karamoja region