Ogwang calls for Iteso, Karamojong unity to end cattle rustling

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KATAKWI — The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has called for renewed unity and cooperation between the Iteso and Karamojong communities as a key step towards ending the persistent cattle rustling along the borderlines of Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.

Ogwang, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Ngariam County in Katakwi District, made the appeal on Saturday, October 4, 2025, while on a community engagement tour in Palam sub-county, one among the areas most affected by cross-border raids.

The sub-county borders Napak District in the Karamoja sub-region, where several incidents of livestock theft have been reported over the years.

The minister noted that while the government continues to implement various interventions to curb cattle rustling, sustainable peace will only be realised when the two communities deliberately choose to work together and rebuild trust.

“We leaders should come together and ensure that we preach unity so that our people start to live in peace and development is realised,” Ogwang said, drawing applause from residents gathered at the event.

For decades, the border districts of Katakwi, Abim, Kapelebyong, and parts of Amuria have faced repeated waves of cattle raids, leaving families displaced and livelihoods destroyed. The violence, largely attributed to armed rustlers from both sides of the border, has hampered agricultural production and disrupted education and trade in the region.

“Government has done a lot in terms of deploying security forces and disarmament operations, but if our communities do not trust one another, these efforts will remain limited,” Ogwang said. “We need to see ourselves as one people who share a future, not enemies divided by boundaries.”

The minister further encouraged youth to engage in productive economic activities. He highlighted ongoing government programs aimed at empowering young people through sports, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

“When the youth are meaningfully engaged, the temptation to join raiding groups will reduce. Sports, for instance, can bring our young people together and foster discipline, teamwork, and peace,” Ogwang added.

Local leaders who attended the meeting, including Julius Abeit, the LC1 chairperson of Aterai Village, commended the minister’s message, saying it resonated with the community’s desire for lasting peace. They pledged to support initiatives that promote cross-border cooperation, including cultural exchanges and joint community projects.

Community members in Palam appealed for improved security patrols and better infrastructure to facilitate trade and social interaction between the two communities. They expressed optimism that with unity and government support, peace could return to the region that has suffered decades of instability.

Cattle rustling has been a recurring challenge in northeastern Uganda, often rooted in competition over resources, traditional practices, and limited livelihood options. Government disarmament campaigns and peace dialogues have reduced the intensity of the raids in recent years, but isolated incidents continue to threaten stability.