The region was a no-go zone a few years ago when insecurity took a toll with several ambushes waged by the warriors reported each day. Lives were lost, among them Missionaries, civilians and security personnel.
Voters from Karamoja sub-region have singled out
peace after the forceful disarmament of the Karimojong warriors in the 1990s
and social-economic transformation as the reason why they vote
Museveni.
The
region was a no-go zone a few years ago when insecurity took a toll with several ambushes waged by the warriors reported each day. Lives were lost, among them Missionaries, civilians and security personnel.
The
residents now say that the situation has greatly improved since the
disarmament program was enforced slightly more than a decade ago,
ushering in development with more investors coming to the marble city.
Also business is booming due to the relative peace that followed the
disarmament.
It is
for this reason that voters across the region are applauding the ruling
National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, President Yoweri Museveni,
for pacifying the region. Albert Lokeris Kidon, 22, a student of Moroto
High School says that the prevailing peace in Karamoja is a matter of
life and death and a key campaign issue for the region.
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Moses
Bate Lomongin, a resident of Moroto town says the development of
industries and availability of other services such as electricity and
tarmac roads have been key in winning support for President Museveni.
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However,
Mark Okello, an elder in Abim district says that NRM is getting gains
from Karamoja because opposition political parties have failed to
penetrate the region. He contends that the rest of the opposition is
struggling to establish grassroots structures as opposed to NRM which is
already grounded among the Karimojong.
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However,
a section of the public is sceptical about Museveni’s victory in the
region. A resident of Moroto town who identified himself only as Denis
in order to speak freely questions the credibility of the Electoral
Commission to conduct a free and fair election
He
argues that the commission cannot properly exercise its independence
under the current arrangement where commissioners are appointed by the
sitting president.
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The
discussion came as President Yoweri Museveni
started campaigns in Karamoja, a region that he won decisively with 80
per cent of the vote in the 2016 presidential election. NRM also won all
parliamentary and LCV seats across seven districts. Museveni enjoyed a
lot of support from Karamoja Sub-region scoring as high as 98 in Napak
district, 97 per cent in Amudat, 94 per cent in Nakapiripirit, and 91
per cent in Kotido.
Chris
Lochoto, the Kaabong NRM Chairperson says service delivery has been an important factor in winning support from Karamoja. He cited electricity and security as achievements of the ruling government.
