Cleric tells K’jong to keep arms
Apr 29, 2004
Karamoja Diocese Bishop, the Rev. Peter Lomongin, has said it is useless for the Government to disarm the Karimojong without guaranteeing them peace.
By Joseph Orisa
Karamoja Diocese Bishop, the Rev. Peter Lomongin, has said it is useless for the Government to disarm the Karimojong without guaranteeing them peace.
Launching a book on capacity building and development of peace in Moroto recently, Lomongin discouraged the Karimojong from supporting the disarmament exercise, saying those who raided their cattle were still armed.
“Surrendering your guns means surrendering your cows, wives and even life because you will be at the mercy of the rustlers who are ready to attack at any opportunity,†he said.
Lomongin said the Government should not expect the Karimojong to fully surrender their guns when their neighbours like the Turkana in Kenya and the Toposa in Sudan still had theirs.
He asked the Government and donors to convince all countries with armed tribes bordering Karamoja to have a joint disarmament programme if peace and development were to be attained in the region.
Lomongin said ethnic clashes and cattle rustling among the warring tribes of Karamoja and those in the neighboring countries had led to loss of lives and underdevelopment in the region.
Pax Christi director Dr. Simon Simones said Netherlands was ready to contribute to the development of Karamoja after the Karimojong had surrendered the guns.
Presidential adviser on disarmament in Karamoja Michael Lokawa Lote asked the Government to carry out the disarmament exercise peacefully instead of using force.
He said the disarmament exercise was disrupted by rebels.
Ends
Karamoja Diocese Bishop, the Rev. Peter Lomongin, has said it is useless for the Government to disarm the Karimojong without guaranteeing them peace.
Launching a book on capacity building and development of peace in Moroto recently, Lomongin discouraged the Karimojong from supporting the disarmament exercise, saying those who raided their cattle were still armed.
“Surrendering your guns means surrendering your cows, wives and even life because you will be at the mercy of the rustlers who are ready to attack at any opportunity,†he said.
Lomongin said the Government should not expect the Karimojong to fully surrender their guns when their neighbours like the Turkana in Kenya and the Toposa in Sudan still had theirs.
He asked the Government and donors to convince all countries with armed tribes bordering Karamoja to have a joint disarmament programme if peace and development were to be attained in the region.
Lomongin said ethnic clashes and cattle rustling among the warring tribes of Karamoja and those in the neighboring countries had led to loss of lives and underdevelopment in the region.
Pax Christi director Dr. Simon Simones said Netherlands was ready to contribute to the development of Karamoja after the Karimojong had surrendered the guns.
Presidential adviser on disarmament in Karamoja Michael Lokawa Lote asked the Government to carry out the disarmament exercise peacefully instead of using force.
He said the disarmament exercise was disrupted by rebels.
Ends