Army blocks Karimojong from entering Teso districts
Mar 31, 2009
The army has blocked about 2,000 Karimojong pastoralists who tried to cross into Amuria and Katakwi districts.
By Olandason Wanyama
The army has blocked about 2,000 Karimojong pastoralists who tried to cross into Amuria and Katakwi districts.
The pastoralists were searching for water and grass for their animals.
The 403 Brigade commander, Maj. Ismael Masudi, on Sunday said the army acted to quell the confusion that could have arisen in the districts.
Speaking at his command post in Lokopo sub-county in Moroto district, Masudi said the army had blocked over 10,000 head of cattle, 20,000 goats and sheep together with 300 donkeys.
“We shall allow them to continue to the next districts if we establish that the water and grass here has been exhausted,†he said.
The Karimojong men camped at Kocolut dam in Lokopo sub-county, about 40km to the borderline of Amuria district.
The UPDF was deployed heavily in case of an attack from the Jie warriors from Kotido.
Kocolut dam was gazetted for camp grazing in the 1950s.
However, about seven years ago, the area was abandoned due to persistent raids by the Jie.
The deputy resident commissioner, Bob Opio, said the Government planned to have the dam de-silted so that there is more water in the sub-region.
“A feasibility study is underway so that we can have permanent water,†Opio said.
The army has blocked about 2,000 Karimojong pastoralists who tried to cross into Amuria and Katakwi districts.
The pastoralists were searching for water and grass for their animals.
The 403 Brigade commander, Maj. Ismael Masudi, on Sunday said the army acted to quell the confusion that could have arisen in the districts.
Speaking at his command post in Lokopo sub-county in Moroto district, Masudi said the army had blocked over 10,000 head of cattle, 20,000 goats and sheep together with 300 donkeys.
“We shall allow them to continue to the next districts if we establish that the water and grass here has been exhausted,†he said.
The Karimojong men camped at Kocolut dam in Lokopo sub-county, about 40km to the borderline of Amuria district.
The UPDF was deployed heavily in case of an attack from the Jie warriors from Kotido.
Kocolut dam was gazetted for camp grazing in the 1950s.
However, about seven years ago, the area was abandoned due to persistent raids by the Jie.
The deputy resident commissioner, Bob Opio, said the Government planned to have the dam de-silted so that there is more water in the sub-region.
“A feasibility study is underway so that we can have permanent water,†Opio said.