President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni  has implored the people of Karamoja to embrace peace and uphold a culture that is scientifically relevant for ideological enrichment and transformation.

Particularly, he cautioned them against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), saying it is a bad and unhealthy culture.

President Museveni was presiding over the 9th edition of the Karamoja Cultural Festival at Karenga Catholic Church grounds in Karenga district, Karamoja region on Saturday, September 7, 2024, under the theme Celebrating Cultural Diversity, Peaceful Coexistence, and Embracing Tourism for Sustainable Development.

The President asked the Ateker to integrate culture in science by upholding a scientifically correct culture which is still relevant in order prevent the prevailing diseases that affect both humans and animals, so as to ensure ideological change.

“There is a disease that is called Brucellosis which causes abortion in cows; it can affect human beings also. Therefore, in the 1950s and 60s, the church started teaching Banyankole that please, don’t drink milk without boiling it because it contains diseases and other microns; so, therefore, when we talk of culture, we must hold a culture that is scientifically correct and it is still relevant; Talk about culture with science because they go hand in hand,” he said.

Museveni cautioned the people of Karamoja region especially the Pokot against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which he called  a bad practice that affects their health.

“The science of circumcising girls is old and it calls health problems to the girls who are circumcised even the children they produce,” President Museveni noted.

He asked about the number of Karacuna who are immunized, and urged the people of Karamoja to embrace immunization against the killer diseases that are killing children like  measles, polio, adding that there are other diseases that affects young girls like cancer. The president, therefore, implored them to go for immunization to curb diseases, stating that the population of Karamoja has increased to 1.4 million people as a result of immunization.

President Museveni called for regional peace and security, urging the people of Karamoja and Turkana to embrace disarmament by surrendering guns to the security. He also called for change of attitude.

“Once you have embraced peace and attained science, concentrate on water harvest. The last time I came here, each district was getting UGX 800 million per year for water. Please agree with me and emphasize water and change attitude because apart from peace, it is the main problem here. So, I want a clear master plan because water is life,” he said.

He further asked them to use science to develop through education and wealth creation in the homes by embracing government programs through commercialized agriculture like growing perennial crops, which will bring job creation for the youth in factories and bring economic development in the country.

“On wealth creation in homes, you can look at the enterprises you can do. Last time I had brought you goats but I don’t know what happened to them,” the president stated.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Napore West, Philip Lukol Lukwang appreciated the President for attending the festival, saying that this is the first festival the President has attended since the Karamoja Cultural Festival begun eight years back.

Felix Male, the LCV Chairperson of Karenga district who is also the Chairperson of Chairpersons of Karamoja and the Chairperson of the Organising committee of the 9th edition of the Festival in Karenga district, assured the president of Karamoja’s readiness to embrace and be part of the development projects including the construction of the new airport in Kidepo, government programs like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He added that a total of 4,116 beneficiaries have received the PDM funds.

He thanked President Museveni for initiating youth skilling programs, adding that the presidential Skilling initiatives have helped the youth to boost their livelihood and promote socio-economic transformation.

“We will ensure that the people of Karamoja are part of the development activities and we pledge to continue pushing the message of wealth creation for the betterment of the community. Your Excellency, I would like to thank you for recognizing the minority groups,” he said.

The Karamoja leaders asked the president to prioritizing infrastructure development through working on the untarmacked roads in the region, and construction of internal and cross border markets in Uganda and Kenya respectively in order to boost cross border trade to ensure economic development.

The local authorities called for increased structures and girl vocations, University in Moroto to improve education in the region.  

The leaders said that the festival enables them to hold intercultural dialogues with efforts to sustain peace especially for the elderly and Karacuna through holding talks for the Karacuna to hand over guns and embrace government programs.

Rose Lilly Akello Nakwakule, the area Woman Member of Parliament for Karenga district and Minister of Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the President, appreciated President Museveni for fencing the Kidepo Valley National Park which has controlled the wild animals and enable the local populace to grow crops.

She further applauded the president for the construction of the International Airport which will boost tourism and economic development in the region. The minister added that it is the peace and security in the region that has enabled this development. She, therefore, thanked the security team in the area led by Maj Gen Don Nabasa for spearheading the restoration of stability in the region.

The Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Peace Mutuzo said that the cultural event is a clear sign of enhancing cultural heritage and diversity. She called for the digitization of the event for proper planning. She also called for the representation of the minority group in Parliament.

Several ethnic groups of Ateker  across the Eastern horn of Africa including the Karamajong, Turkana from Western Kenya, Jie, Nyangatom, Pokot, and Dodoth, Bokora, Ike, Matheniko, among others showcased different types of Cultural dances and dress code that indicates the cultural heritage and diversity. Among the minority groups that presented including the Reformed warriors (former Karacuna), Napore with Ebore dance, Nyangiya, and Bening with Nayantara dance.

The Karamoja Cultural Festival is held yearly and rotational among the nine districts of Karamoja region and the 10th edition be hosted by Nakapiripirit district.

Dignitaries in attendance included; Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi; the Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Col Emmy Katabazi; other Members of Parliament (Mps) including the 26 MPs from Karamoja region; a delegation from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Sierraleon including the Governor of Turkana, Governors from Ethiopia and South Sudan, Ambassadors, the Bishop of Kotido; the local community including those from Teso, among others.