Stick To The Law

THE NATIONAL Political Commissar Dr. Crispus Kiyonga on Thursday averted a potentially explosive situation in Teso when he convinced the local leadership to delay various ultimatums they had issued against nomadic pastoralists in their area.About 450 mainly Sabiny, Banyankole and Banyarwanda pastoralists with their herds are currently camped in parts of Teso. The pastoralists say they migrated to there in search of water and pasture for their herds and after being displaced by ranchers. The locals accuse the pastoralists of arrogance, settling in wetlands and destroying the environment. Kiyonga warned the Iteso against hate propaganda, mobilising veterans to flush out the pastoralists and refusing to sell land to non-Iteso. While the leaders vehemently denied the reports, Kiyonga’s revelations were not entirely ungrounded. Several leaders had issued warnings and ultimatums requiring the pastoralists to vacate Teso within a specified period. At Abuket Primary School, Soroti, Kiyonga and Amuria MP Ben Etonu had to calm an irate crowd that was chanting slogans against the settlers.This country has elaborate laws and mechanisms for resolving such conflicts in a manner that does not lead to breach of public peace. Pastoralists may not have followed the right procedure. But they should be handled the correct way. The LC1 leaders do not seem to have a problem with the pastoralists. It is the politicians drumming up popular sentiment for own political gain. Government must be given time to work out a consultative process to find a lasting and sustainable solution to the problem of pastoralists.The solution as Kiyonga rightly pointed out has to be carefully thought out. It also has to be grounded in the law.Ends