Senior Leaders Urge Karamoja Communities To Champion Peace And Development

Security commanders and local leaders have renewed their call for the people of Karamoja to actively embrace peace and development during a well-attended community security baraza in Lokolia village, Kaabong East.

The gathering brought together joint security personnel, district officials, and hundreds of residents in a show of unity and collective responsibility.

Colonel Allan Kyangungu, Deputy Division Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 3 Infantry Division, urged residents to stay vigilant and support peacebuilding by exposing criminal elements who threaten the region’s hard-won stability. “I urge you to maintain vigilance and embrace peace initiatives so that stability can foster socio-economic transformation,” said Col Kyangungu.

He reaffirmed the joint security forces’ dedication to protecting life and property, calling it their foremost duty. He also warned against the spread of false accusations and community divisions, which he said derail progress. “Let us focus on community development rather than peddling lies to seek personal favours,” he added.

Col Kyangungu appealed to local leaders and opinion makers to support voluntary disarmament and engage the youth, commonly referred to as the Karacuna, to surrender illegal firearms, abandon criminal behaviour, and join in building a peaceful future that aligns with government development initiatives.

He also encouraged residents to participate in the ongoing free national identity card renewal exercise by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), emphasising its importance in accessing social services.

As a gesture of support to reformed youth, the 3 Infantry Division donated two bulls to aid ox-plough farming and enhance food production in the area.

Ms Ruth Lokuwam, Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Kaabong, encouraged locals to harness the current peace to tap into cross-border trade with South Sudan and Kenya. She pledged to advocate for support towards organised groups involved in income-generating ventures.

She further cautioned the public to remain alert during the upcoming election season and resist divisive propaganda or identity-based politics.

Deputy Commandant of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), SSP Oese John Faustine, applauded the community’s cooperation with security agencies, which has facilitated the recovery of stolen livestock and illegal firearms. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration, timely intelligence sharing, and identifying criminal collaborators to improve operational effectiveness.

Hon. Lokut Joseph Mukasa, Vice Chairperson of Kaabong District, echoed calls for unity, lawful conduct, improved service delivery, and peaceful coexistence as the bedrock of development.

Leaders also called upon parents and guardians to prioritise education by enrolling all children in school, affirming it as key to securing the future of the region.

The baraza was attended by Lt Col Gaston Mugarura, Commander of the 405 Brigade, as well as other senior security officers, district leaders, Karacuna and community members committed to sustaining peace in Karamoja.