As the Karamoja cultural celebrations are ongoing, the regional and cultural leaders within the region called for a dialogue that took place at Napak district headquarters in a bid to transform the region.

The dialogue was attended by the regions’ Members of Parliament, RDCs of the region and the neighbouring areas, security representatives, Ateker (clusters) leaders from the region, the Turkana leaders, the Ateker from Ethiopia, leaders from Teso region, youth representatives, women and elders’ representatives.

The dialogue came up with a number of issues that are affecting the Karamoja Ateker like Gender Based Violence, street children problem, cross border trade hardships, food security, having no compensation to those that return guns voluntarily, UPDF aiding cattle raids because they are the source of guns, early marriages, human wild life constraints, having no education policies, and alcoholism.

However, during the dialogue, the leaders came up with several solutions that they want the government to help them implement.

They asked government to grow together with other clusters (ateker) to transform gender relations for equal participation, economic empowerment and improved menstrual health for women and girls.

The leaders urged the government of Uganda to have a dialogue with Kenya to ease cross border relations, compensation to those who hand over guns voluntarily, offer youth loans to start up business that will help reduce cattle raiding, put up security barracks along hot spots or borders, construct more industries to offer jobs to the youth, military dialogues and feedback, introduce irrigation and sample farms, open up more schools and skilling centres.

According to Dr. Ute Schneiderat, the Team Leader of German Cooperation in Uganda, the project is aimed at strengthening the capacity of IGAD to control drought.

“With the help of the German Cooperation and the government of Uganda, we have come up with a project that will help to strengthen the capacity of IGAD to increase drought resilience in Uganda,” Dr. Schneiderat said.

She also added that the main objective of this project is to strengthen capacity in cross borders for easy risk management at regional and local borders.

John Paul Kodet, the LCV of Napak district advised the youth to quit alcoholism and cattle raiding.

“Let us learn to celebrate our culture of unity and peace because its the only way we shall reconcile with the other clusters ( ateker) like the Turkanas, Iteso,”  Kodet said.

He added that, the youth should embrace education and skilling because a gun cannot make one rich but the skills gained from education can.