As hundreds continue to be killed and arrested in the ongoing forceful disarmament of cattle rustlers in the Karamoja sub-region, Uganda military General led by President Yoweri Museveni’s young brother Gen Caleb Akandwanaho popularly known as Salim Saleh have held talks with Kenyan delegations on finding an everlasting solution to the conflict that has stretched to the neighbouring countries.
Gen Saleh, who serves as Museveni’s advisor on security was accompanied by minister for security Gen Jim Muhwezi and they held talks with the Kenyan delegation led by Rebecca Miyano, the cabinet secretary in charge of East African affairs.
Saleh and Miyano acknowledged that there is a need for the harmonious coexistence of the people of Kenya and Uganda. This is because there is sharing of resources, and it requires arriving at a fruitful conclusion for cross-border cooperation.
Miyano said that Uganda and Kenya have enjoyed a cordial relationship, free movement of people, and growth of cross-border trade, and the purpose of their coming was to address emerging security concerns between Uganda and Kenya.
“The Government of Kenya appreciates the support accorded by the Government of Uganda to the Kenyans living in Uganda, especially Turkana Pastoralists. The sustainability of peace and security remains a major concern and we need to operationalize the M.O.U signed by Uganda and Kenya on 12.9.2019,” Miyano said.
Other Ugandan dignitaries who attended the meeting on Karamoja matters include Agnes Nandutu minister of State for Karamoja Affairs. The Kenyan delegation said Turkana has the challenge of water shortage and grass which makes their people cross over to Uganda.
“Turkana and Karamoja have many things in common ranging from culture, and language. The Turkana county has continued protecting Ugandans working in Turkana and livestock that enter Turkana county are handed over,” Miyano said.
The delegates from each side said regular engagements and communication need to be streamlined, communication flow to be emphasized and one border post should be established. Security teams said Turkana have lived 40yrs in Karamoja and have registered to vote both in Uganda and Kenya.
However, the Kenyan delegation complained of arbitrary arrest of their people and that the Kenyan Liaison officer is inaccessible to the Kenyan people when he is needed. They said there is a need for a modern livestock tracking system to be put in place to avoid animals disappearing.
“It is wrong for Uganda to refuse Turkana livestock. Communication signal between Uganda forces and Kenya forces. Heath centers in Uganda are overwhelmed especially Rupa and Nakiloro. Regular review meetings and establishing businesses hub and storage facilities. Livestock disease controls are established,” the meeting said.
Kenya and Uganda said peace-building projects should be established to address the challenges of trafficking of guns across the border and recovery of stolen animals across the border. The participants said no disarmament in Kenya and therefore there’s need to disarm the Turkanas as well.
Resolutions reached
- Prerogative of mercy from H.E. the president of Uganda on the 09 Turkanas jailed in Uganda.
- Conclusive invasion and arrest of suspects involved in Geologist killing.
- M.O.U be operationalized
- Disarmament in both countries
- Recovery of Livestock
- Treatment of Turkana herders
- Sharing of resources by both countries
- coordination and communication at all levels.
- M.O.U, track its implementation, and resource mobilization, convene regular working sessions between Uganda and Kenya
- Cross-border infrastructure and social services
- Cross border trade and Movement of Goods and People
- Enhancing boarder security