The meeting, organized by the Justice and Peace departments of the Gulu Archdiocese and the Kotido Catholic Diocese, took place at the Orom sub-county trading center. It brought together reformed former rustlers from Kotido district, who had previously engaged in cattle raiding but have since renounced their violent ways.
In a significant step towards peace, youths from the Kotido and Kitgum districts convened in Orom Sub-county, Kitgum district, to discuss strategies for ending the long-standing issue of cattle raiding that has plagued the region for years.
The meeting, organized by the Justice and Peace departments of the Gulu Archdiocese and the Kotido Catholic Diocese, took place at the Orom sub-county trading center. It brought together reformed former rustlers from Kotido district, who had previously engaged in cattle raiding but have since renounced their violent ways.
Peter Lopuko Adepangimoe, a youth from Kotido district, emphasized the youths' desire to peacefully coexist with their neighbors.
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"We acknowledge the suffering inflicted by armed Karimojong on the people of Acholi, and we believe it's high time for forgiveness," he noted. Cyprian Okot Bidandi, a youth from Orom Sub-county, Kitgum district, welcomed the initiative taken by the Karimojong youths to engage in dialogue.
"We appreciate your willingness to talk about peace, but we also expect you to put your words into action by ending cattle raiding in Acholi land," Okot stated.
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Nico Lokwaateba from the Kotido Catholic Diocese Peace and Justice Department mentioned that the attendees were reformed former rustlers who had once been involved in cattle raiding. He added that some of them still face threats from their former colleagues, who continue to conduct raids, impacting both the Acholi and Karimojong sub-regions.
Lokwaateba noted the tragic toll of cattle raiding, revealing that thousands of lives have been lost, which has prompted the youths to seek peaceful coexistence with their neighbors. Johnson Todera Acellam, the Chairperson of Orom Sub-county, hailed the meeting as a crucial step towards ending cattle rustling in the region. “This could be the beginning of a journey to end cattle rustling in Kitgum district and the entire region,” Todera remarked. “Cattle rustling has led to the loss of many innocent lives, and it’s high time it comes to an end.”
Geoffrey Oguti, the Kitgum Assistant Resident District Commissioner in charge of Chua East constituency, urged the Karimojong youths to follow through with their intentions. He stated that the government has made significant efforts to curb the raids. "We expect you to be ambassadors of peace by speaking to those who are still conducting the raids," Oguti said. "The Uganda Peace Defense Force and other security agencies are ready to take action against them if they do not stop."
According to data from the office of the Resident District Commissioner in Kitgum, over 400 livestock have been raided, and approximately 14 innocent lives have been lost due to incursions by armed Karimojong from 2021 to early 2024. However, it is worth noting that since May of this year, no major raids have occurred. The youths from both districts have pledged to work together to promote peace and stability in the region and to put an end to the cattle-raiding menace that has caused immense suffering and loss of life.
Opoka Denis
Freelancer