According to Epuke, he is expecting more Turkana pastorilists to cross to Uganda with their animals since all the wells in their region have dried up due to drought. "Although Uganda is also dry but it isn’t comparable to Turkana region. We have lost a big number of animals in Turkana due to drought because of lack of water and grass, “he said.
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Turkana pastoralists watering their animals in Kobebe water dam in Moroto, more Turkana herders have crossed in Karamoja last week
Another
group of Turkana Pastoralists fleeing drought in their area have crossed into
Uganda from Kenya. Numbering close to 2000 people, the pastoralists started
entering Uganda last week and have settled in Kotido, Kaabong and Moroto districts
in search of pasture and water for their livestock.
Late last year, about 4000 Turkana pastoralists crossed into Kotido and Kaabong
districts. Mark Epuke, the Chairperson of the Turkana community in Loyoro Sub
County in Kaabong district, says the Ugandan government has helped to save
their animals from dying because of lack of pasture and water in their area.
According to
Epuke, he is expecting more Turkana pastoralists to cross to Uganda with their animals
since all the wells in their region have dried up due to drought.
"Although
Uganda is also dry but it isn’t comparable to Turkana region. We have lost a
big number of animals in Turkana due to drought because of lack of water and
grass, “he said.
Mark Abuku,
the Kaabong LC V Chairperson confirmed the entry of the new group of Turkana
pastoralists in his district. He says Kenyan authorities requested Kaabong and
Kotido district authorities to allow their herders to cross and graze in
Karamoja due to lack of pasture in their country.
Peter Logiro,
the Kotido Resident District Commissioner, says the Turkana herders are only
allowed to stay and graze in Uganda without bringing their firearms, adding
that they are fully protected by the Uganda People’s Defense Force-UPDF.
“We have
been having several meetings with them and we are telling them they are free to
stay and graze in Karamoja but not to cross with any firearm into Karamoja
districts, “he said.
During the 2015 Tarehsita celebrations held in Moroto,
president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said he had no problem with the Turkana and Pokot
pastoralists crossing into Uganda to graze their animals provided they leave
behind their firearms.
"I have no problem with the Kenyan Pastoralists entering Uganda with their
animals as long as they are not armed but if they come when they are armed we
will give them a horizontal arrangement," he said.
