The truth of the matter is that the NRM move to disarm of the "Karamojong warriors" is never going to work. Why? Because of the following reasons:
a) Could it be the some unscrupulous elements within the UPDF, are, in essence, posing as "Karamojong warriors" who conduct raids in neighboring areas of Teso Land with the aim of stealing teso cattle. The stolen bounty is then shipped to the favored area in Nyakatura for the enrichment of the sons and daughters of the Soil in Nyakatura.
b) "Karamojong warriors" , whoever they are, have a lucrative market in Dubai, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya .... Where looted teso cattle could be sold ..and the proceeds of the sale used to buy more weapons. Which weapons is then used to terrorize the Iteso even further.
c) The corrupt, incompetent NRM regime in Kampala, because of it's Militaristic "STRONG MAN" kind of thinking /attitude, cannot possible engage the Karamojong warriors in a peaceful diplomatic dialogue in a move to solve the Karamojong issue. Whereas a different administration in Kampala would probably use peaceful negotiated means to solve the Karamojong issue, the NRM (for now close to 18 years) has shown to Ugandan that it has no affinity what so ever to engage in any dialogue with the Karamojong.
Matek
Disarming K'jong is But Half the Answer
Print This Page
Visit�The�Publisher's�Site
The Monitor (Kampala)EDITORIAL
January 16, 2004
Posted to the web January 16, 2004 Kampala Pictures of warriors from Karamoja sub-region wielding Kalashnikov semi-automatic rifles are back in the papers.With breathtaking eloquence, those pictures tell the story of a failed disarmament
That programme was supposed to have ushered in an era of calm and tranquility to these pastoral lands.It is almost unbearably hot in Karamoja this time of the year, which means the few water sources are drying up and grazing land is withering away.The Karimojong are about to do what they have done for many years - cross into neighbouring districts in search of pasture and water for their herds.Each time they have come, the warriors have been accused of raping the local women, sowing terror among the populace and making a dangerous nuisance of themselves.
Government efforts to improve the water infrastructure in the sub-region have, in the last four years, been half-hearted.The Kony rebel insurgency that has spread into parts of Lira and Teso from Acholiland will undoubtedly complicate the ramifications of Karimojong migrations on security this year.Secondly, the Toposa/Dinka in Sudan, Turkana/Pokot in Kenya and some of the tribes in Somalia and Ethiopia are a part of this gun problem.The other aspect to the quandary is, of course, the rebellion in south Sudan, but which happily seems to be reaching resolution of a sort.
Government must reach a consensus with countries that neighbour us along the Karamoja frontier on the best way to end the gunrunning.Most MPs from Karamoja and their people will agree with the thinking on this page about this annual migration.
If government is committed to the Karamoja development process, we hope it will realise, as available evidence in the form of those photographs shows, that disarmament per se is not the best way to proceed.Relevant Links
To use the often quoted by-word of the government; we encourage the adoption of "a holistic approach" to the Karamoja Question.Sort out the water, suffocate the arms trade, and cooperate with our neighbours in sorting out their own warrior tribes and stem intra-Karimojong raiding.
"The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth becomes the greatest enemy of the state."
- Dr. Joseph M. Goebbels - Hitler's propaganda minister
