Livestock
farmers in Agago District have been forced to flee their homes over fear of persistent
cross-border attacks by suspected armed Karamojong cattle rustlers.
The most
affected farmers are from the sub-counties bordering the Karamoja Sub-region.
They include Adilang, Lira Kato, Lapono Paimol, Omiya Pachua and Lai-Muto Town
Council.
The farmers have
for the past one month been seen migrating with their goats, sheep, and cows
into the neighboring district of Kitgum.
Jolly Bodo
Peny-Wii, a resident of Layika Parish in Omiya Pachua Sub County says farmers
have been forced to abandon their homes for the protection and safety of their only
livelihoods.
According to
Bodo, the livestock farmers are seeking safety and refuge at homes of relatives
and friends in the neighboring sub-counties of Namukora, Omiya Anyima, Lagoro,
and Kitgum Matidi in Kitgum district.
He adds that
this month, armed suspected Karamojong cattle rustlers have broken into his
kraal three times but he was only lucky that they were pursued by the security
personnel who managed to recover some of his animals.
//Cue in:
“an aaah pi…
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Lango Oyeng”//
Charles
Oringa a resident of Kulu Dwong village in Lira Kato Sub County, currently
displaced in Katoplak village in Omiya Anyima Sub County in Kitgum says
residents can no longer guard the communal cattle kraals since they are always
confronted by armed Karimajong warriors.
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“an aringo Omiya…
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nini enu”//
The Agago
LCV Chairperson Leonard Ojok Opio says the extremely volatile situation has not
only caused displacements but also caused fear amidst residents following
several attacks by armed pastoralists.
Ojok ponders
that the long-term strategies including, enhanced security deployment and
surveillance, establishing security roads, and reviving and arming vigilante
groups could be better interventions that should be adopted to counter attacks
by the armed rustlers.
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“as I talk now…
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they tied”//
Luo audio
//Cue in:
“an bene angeyo…
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….obi bedo tye”//
The Agago
Resident District Commissioner Susan Akany admits to the situation saying there
is an impending plan for leaders from both regions to discuss with the
president on required concerted efforts to guarantee the protection of people’s
property and their lives.
Dan Michael Komakech
Freelancer