"You denied us education, but give us peace," Karamoja youths cry out to gov’t

Youth groups in Karamoja have urged government to reinstate peace in the region, saying that they are tired of living like fugitives in their own land.

The Abim District Youth Leader, who is also the National Unity Platform (NUP) sub-regional coordinator, Ernest Ayen said that they are disappointed in government, having failed to put an end to the “unnecessary” killings in the Karamoja region.

Ayen made these remarks while addressing journalists during the NUP weekly press conference at their Kamwokya headquarters.

"[Some security elements] are burning people’s huts, chasing them off their land. Nobody goes to their farms because of the insecurity," Ayen alleged.

“The government deliberately denied us good education, roads among other necessities. We know and we shall battle that out but please give us peace,” the youth leader added.

The NUP regional coordinator added that it is frustrating to see that no one is talking about what is going on in Karamoja, despite all the promises that were made to the region during the 2021 general elections.

"Where is the Minister for Karamoja? Politicians remember us when they need votes. People are being deprived of their lands by wealthy people, pushing them deep in remote areas," Ayen added.

Ayen’s comments come against the backdrop of several reports indicating that the security situation in Karamoja is escalating and getting out of hand, despite government assurances that it is all under control.

Several incidents of continuous fighting in the region since the death of three geologists from the Ministry of Energy and two UPDF soldiers on March 21 have been reported. The five died at the hands of armed Turkana pastoralists who had crossed into Uganda to search for pastures.

NUP party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi said during the presser that something needs to be done before the situation deteriorates in Karamoja.

The NUP mouthpiece called for a special investigation into the killings in Karamoja.

"People think that they are being deliberately abandoned by the same government that is supposed to protect them. We need serious investigations," Ssenyonyi said.