The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has established new Civic-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) centres in northern Uganda as part of a broader effort to curb persistent cattle raids and strengthen ties with local communities.
The centres, in Lira, Kitgum, Karenga, and Kapelebyong, are expected to serve as platforms for dialogue, trust-building, and collaborative responses to insecurity in the Karamoja, Acholi, and Lango sub-regions.
Speaking at the launch in Lira, Brig Gen Michael Kibuye, Director of CIMIC in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces , said the initiative marks a strategic shift from military force to communication and partnership.
“The leaders now understand that the rifle no longer makes the impact it used to,” Brig. Gen. Kibuye said. “What works today is talking; bringing community leaders and soldiers together to discuss and agree on the way forward.”
He emphasised that CIMIC coordinators will work closely with local governments, NGOs, and community stakeholders to promote transparency and develop community-driven security solutions.
“This cooperation can only be achieved through coordination, liaison, information sharing, and community support,” he added.
Reaffirming the UPDF’s commitment to community integration, Brig. Gen. Kibuye echoed President Yoweri Museveni’s longstanding principle:
“The Army is part of the people, and the people are part of the Army. The people cannot be without the Army, nor can the Army exist without the people.”
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Lira District, Ms. Beatrice Molly Abang, welcomed the initiative, noting it will improve public access to the military and boost trust between civilians and security forces.
Local leaders in conflict-prone areas also expressed optimism. Mr. Samuel Lobeka Abukongimoe from Karenga District said the centres could have reduced cattle raids if they had been set up earlier.
“People are often afraid to approach army barracks, but placing CIMIC centres near RDC offices makes it easier for civilians to interact with security personnel and share vital information,” he said.
He pointed out that districts such as Karenga, Kitgum, Abim, and parts of Lango have long been vulnerable to raids, which are often fueled by illegal firearms trafficked from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rev. Philip Okiror, Chairperson of the Elders Forum for Karamoja and Teso Regions, praised the initiative as a tool for healing and reconciliation.
“The most important aspect of CIMIC is the collaboration between the army and civilians to find solutions and live together in peace,” he said.
For years, the Lango, Acholi, and Teso sub-regions have suffered from cattle rustling, much of it linked to armed Karimojong warriors. The situation worsened in the 1980s with the spread of illegal weapons and unguarded borders, leading to widespread displacement, loss of livelihoods, and long-standing inter-community tensions.
With the rollout of CIMIC centers, the UPDF hopes to foster peace, trust, and lasting security in the Greater North.
The launch event drew participants from a broad spectrum of society, including senior and junior UPDF officers, Resident District Commissioners, District Chairpersons, development partners, and civil society actors from districts such as Lira, Lira City, Karenga, Kitgum, and Kapelebyong.
