Richard Otim
28 August 2008
Thousands of Turkana nomads from Kenya have amassed at the border of Kenya and Uganda, UPDF 3rd Division Training and Operations Officer Paul L'Okech has said.
He said the nomads have been forced to flee the arid conditions in Kenya that have been aggravated by this year's prolonged dry spell.
"They are requesting to cross into our country to have pasture and water but we are saying no," Col L'Okech said. Turkana pastoralists have in the past engaged in serious conflicts with Karamoja over pasture and water points particularly in Matheniko and Dodoth parts of the region.
He said the nomads are currently grazing along the border of Karamoja and Kenya from Nakiloro in the south to Loyoro in the north. He was addressing a group of UPDF and police officers undergoing training in human rights observance while carrying out military operations in Karamoja on August 26.
"We are coming up with a drought management system to ensure the nomads don't clash with their neighbours. There is need to create grazing corridors for the Karimojong to graze in the coming drought season," Col. L'Okech said, calling on stakeholders to join hands to solve Karamoja problems.
The training was organised by Save the Children to reduce incidents of human rights abuse by the army and to avoid damages during disarmament.
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