Over the years, a combined security disarmament operation commanded directly by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was conducted in the Karamoja sub region.
The aims were to restore security and sanity in the region and also recover guns from warriors that were being misused to rustle livestock from the neighboring regions of Acholi, Abim, Lango, and Teso.
Recently, while in the Karamoja sub region to mobilize and assess the implementation of the Parish Development Model and other wealth creation programs, President Museveni confirmed that the warriors had a total of 41,000 guns.
Due to illegal firearms that were severely used to terrorize communities in the region, several government programs and developmental initiatives were impeded.
A few years ago, when the disarmament activities became successful, the Karamoja region was ushered into a reliable stability with the neighboring communities, including Lango, Teso, and Abim, living without experiencing persistent raids for many years, unlike before.
President Museveni has since announced total government commitment to deliver the Karamojong people into prosperity through the model four-acre farming practices.
“With peace now in Karamoja, every household should participate in agriculture. There is no excuse for being poor now. We will not allow the prevailing peace to be disturbed by anybody,” said President Museveni.
A sneak peek into what the government has so far done in Karamoja sub region following the restoration of peace revealed that under the infrastructural sector, several roads have been upgraded with key highways paved while others have first-class marram.
Once the peace was restored in Karamoja, the government embarked on various infrastructural roads and other socio-economic transformations targeting empowering every household to engage in money-making.
“From Kampala to Soroti up to Moroto Municipality via Katakwi is now paved, making it easy to travel and conduct businesses in the area. Moroto town to Napiripirit road, about 94 km, is now tarmacked,” said Minister of State for Works Musa Ecweru.
According to Minister Ecweru, all the road construction was successful due to the prevailing peace in the region, and the government will, in the next financial year, kick-start the upgrade of key remaining roads in the area.
Once shrouded in darkness, Moroto has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a beacon of progress for the Karamoja sub region, thanks to the impactful interventions of the USMID Programme.
Under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program, Moroto Municipality has recorded a robust infrastructural upgrade, including the construction of Moroto Bus Terminal, tarmac roads, and solar lights installed on various streets and marketplaces.
The government, through USMID, has delivered a night economy in Moroto with several businesses booming at night, including leisure and entertainment facilities.
Moroto now has morden nightclubs, including Waga Lounge and Striker Lounge, among others.
This has not only benefited businessmen but also offered positive prospects for Moroto’s revenue collectors.
According to Moroto municipal council town clerk Eyaru Richard, the night economy has since expanded with stability.
In the health sector, the government has tremendously built various facilities and deployed personnel to deliver services to Karamoja locals.
The region’s only referral hospital in Moroto Municipality has received massive key structures, giving it a reliable position to deliver specialized services to clients.
President Museveni recently confirmed that the government will build an international airport, an equivalent of Entebbe International Airport, to boost tourism and agriculture in Karenga District.
He said farmers in Karamoja will now be able to export their products to various world markets, including Europe.
President Museveni concluded by saying, “There is no excuse for being poor in Karamoja.”
