Lopeta jigs to peace
WHEN the master-of-ceremony called Michael Lopeta to the stage, there was a deafening applause from about 4,000 people at Watakau village in Kotido district. He danced like a snake and his hip hop beats thrilled the audience judging by their thunderous applause. This was the launch of a peace projec
By Joseph Kariuki
WHEN the master-of-ceremony called Michael Lopeta to the stage, there was a deafening applause from about 4,000 people at Watakau village in Kotido district. He danced like a snake and his hip hop beats thrilled the audience judging by their thunderous applause. This was the launch of a peace project by Save the Children in Uganda.
Unlike other youth who have resorted to the gun for food, 20-year-old Lopeta chose to sing about peace in a region that has been ravaged by cattle rustling. He has recorded many songs through selling eggs and groundnuts in Kotido.
But Lopeta, a first-born of four, has a heart-rending tale of defying death as a cattle rustler.
Here is his story:
At 18, when I was going to get married, I needed to pay bride price of 150 head of cattle. Because we were poor, my father gave me a gun to create wealth.
I became a rustler where I led 49 youth to raid manyattas (homesteads) even across borders as far as Pokot land in Kenya.
During one raid I got the required 150 cattle, but other warriors stole them. But my worst raid was in 1999 in muruariwan in Moroto district.
We were 21 warriors armed to the teeth. However, as we were fighting my bullets, ran out. I threw my gun and prayed to God to save me because the enemy was raining bullets in all directions.
At this point, Lopeta poses, shakes his head as if to shake off the scary memory. He composes himself and continues his story.
“I ran to Nyapei. The following day I got lost in the bush where I stayed for two weeks, surviving on berries and leaves. I kept asking God to take me home and He did.â€
“When I got home, my parents were crying because they thought I had died. During the raid, 10 of my team-mates were killed and other 10 escaped.
My parents slaughtered a bull for me.
That raid was my turning point. I began selling groundnuts and eggs to get money to record songs about peace, HIV and the need for education. I have recorded 39 songs.
I am not tempted to go back to cattle rustling. I want to reach my friends who are raiding with the message of peace through music.
I am not married because I failed to get the cows. I know some day I will get the cows to marry from my music. I am saved, Pastor Michael Lokopo of a local church preached to me and I gave my life to Christ.â€
Lopeta speaks fluent English, yet he has never been to school.
“I learnt English from friends.
Lopeta also sings with the Kraal Boys Reformed Warriors Crew, which comprises 20 members. They too are reformed rustlers.
“My target is to promote our music,†he says.
WHEN the master-of-ceremony called Michael Lopeta to the stage, there was a deafening applause from about 4,000 people at Watakau village in Kotido district. He danced like a snake and his hip hop beats thrilled the audience judging by their thunderous applause. This was the launch of a peace project by Save the Children in Uganda.
Unlike other youth who have resorted to the gun for food, 20-year-old Lopeta chose to sing about peace in a region that has been ravaged by cattle rustling. He has recorded many songs through selling eggs and groundnuts in Kotido.
But Lopeta, a first-born of four, has a heart-rending tale of defying death as a cattle rustler.
Here is his story:
At 18, when I was going to get married, I needed to pay bride price of 150 head of cattle. Because we were poor, my father gave me a gun to create wealth.
I became a rustler where I led 49 youth to raid manyattas (homesteads) even across borders as far as Pokot land in Kenya.
During one raid I got the required 150 cattle, but other warriors stole them. But my worst raid was in 1999 in muruariwan in Moroto district.
We were 21 warriors armed to the teeth. However, as we were fighting my bullets, ran out. I threw my gun and prayed to God to save me because the enemy was raining bullets in all directions.
At this point, Lopeta poses, shakes his head as if to shake off the scary memory. He composes himself and continues his story.
“I ran to Nyapei. The following day I got lost in the bush where I stayed for two weeks, surviving on berries and leaves. I kept asking God to take me home and He did.â€
“When I got home, my parents were crying because they thought I had died. During the raid, 10 of my team-mates were killed and other 10 escaped.
My parents slaughtered a bull for me.
That raid was my turning point. I began selling groundnuts and eggs to get money to record songs about peace, HIV and the need for education. I have recorded 39 songs.
I am not tempted to go back to cattle rustling. I want to reach my friends who are raiding with the message of peace through music.
I am not married because I failed to get the cows. I know some day I will get the cows to marry from my music. I am saved, Pastor Michael Lokopo of a local church preached to me and I gave my life to Christ.â€
Lopeta speaks fluent English, yet he has never been to school.
“I learnt English from friends.
Lopeta also sings with the Kraal Boys Reformed Warriors Crew, which comprises 20 members. They too are reformed rustlers.
“My target is to promote our music,†he says.