Karamoja Intel Report: Is it time President Museveni met directly with Ngikarachunak(the youth)?

WRITTEN FOR KARAMOJA TRUMPET BY KARAMOJA YOUTH AGENDA SECRETARIAT with Support from the Africa Leadership Institute (Peace and Conflict Transformation in the Ateker Cluster Department.

Disclaimer: This article was written based on several engagements between youth leaders, reformed warriors, active raiders and Karimojong elites, by the Karamoja Youth Agenda Secretariat. Our intention in this article is to air out the challenges and frustrations that the youth of Karamoja face and provide policy recommendations on possible future outcomes. It is important to note that when we talk of the youth or Ngikarachunak, we are talking of kraal and manyatta level youth who rarely have a voice and feel sidelined or left behind. Elites have for a long time held a monopoly on information in Karamoja and in many cases pursue selfish, parochial interests rather than what benefits the people.

In Karamoja region and the rest of the Ateker cluster, just as it is in the Sahel and Eastern DRC, the issue of youth unemployment, illiteracy, lack of skilling and access to credit and their direct link to criminality, banditry and armed raids is a severe phenomenon. Karamoja is composed of 9 districts with a total population of about 1.4m people with a median age of 15(UNFPA), it is the region with the lowest socio economic and human development indicators in the country with literacy rates of about 20%, it is the poorest region in Uganda with income poverty rates of 66% and food poverty at 75% (UBOS Household Survey 2022).

Simultaneously Karamoja has vast mineral deposits worth hundreds of billions of dollars, large potential for commercial agriculture in the green belt districts, and unique flora and fauna that attract thousands of tourists annually. With more attention from the central government and funding partners Karamoja is changing positively, tarmac roads, stable electricity supply and higher numbers of university graduates.

That being said a large segment of the population has been largely untouched by these developments due to the fact that they reside far from trading centers and towns. It is this portion of Karamoja that is characterized by high rates of unemployment, illiteracy and are seemingly a forgotten or marginalized generation. These youth feel as though they have little stake in Karamoja and no alternative means with which to earn a living and are thus more likely to pick up guns and engage in banditry, lawlessness and criminality.

During the 2001 disarmament campaign by President Museveni, over 35,000 guns were collected peacefully by engaging these youth and other grassroots actors such as women and elders. Many Karimojong recall fondly of days when entire villages and sub-counties would hand over their guns en-masse to the government.

The gun in Karamoja is perceived as an instrument

of death and suffering and thusly many Karimojong willingly surrendered their firearms for the hope of a brighter future, increased development coming to the area. Defeated in the nine years of forceful disarmament that followed.

Sadly from 2011 to 2019 as parts of Karamoja begun to enjoy the fruits of disarmament and peace, large segments remained untouched. Little effort was made to engage with or support the youth to help chart a course ahead for a better, more productive Karamoja that can positively contribute to the national economy. It is these youths that grew up in the years of peace and that had little access into the cash economy that have once again resumed raiding.

Lokitela Ka Ekuwam

In December 2019 as the monster of cattle rustling began to rear its ugly head and raids were becoming an almost daily occurrence in the Matheniko-Jie-Bokora-Turkana Corridor, a peace meeting was held at Lokitela Ka Ekuwam, funded by the Office of the President through the then LC V Chairman for Moroto, Keem Andrew Napaja. He was augmented by a team from the Africa Leadership Institute and the minutes and recordings of this peace meeting are in our archives.

In attendance were UPDF Commanders, Security Heads, Local Leaders, Peace Committee Members, Karimojong youth and known cattle rustlers who attended via teleconference. Some of the youth used the meeting to accuse their leaders of not being honest to the President and requesting to meet him directly.

2021 Elections and Post Covid

During the 2021 elections again there were cries from the kraal level youth, women and peace actors to meet directly with the President but due to the covid situation in the country and Ministry of Health guidelines this was not feasible. Since 2021 the President has visited Karamoja multiple times and on each visit, it is with selected leaders (MPs, LC Vs, Mayors, RDCs etc), NRM Party Officials, local elites and Security heads. These leaders sometimes, after being threatened wrong elements not to speak the truth, offer a sanitized version of life in Karamoja and thusly mislead the President as to the true nature of daily life in Karamoja.

Karamoja’s MPs Peace Caravan

Immediately after swearing in as legislators Karamoja sub-regions 26 MPs must be commended for choosing to skip the state of the nation address of President Museveni and instead tour the entire sub-region in order to discuss the problems that had been dogging the sub-region with the population as well as generate consensus on Key issues. They traversed the length and breadth of Karamoja and produced a report of findings which became the basis for their engagements at future meetings between them and the President, First Lady, UPDF High Command and OPM team.

Ministry Of Karamoja Attempt at Peaceful Disarmament

After being appointed as Ministers, Hon. Kitutu Mary Goretti and Hon. Agnes Nandutu Launched a disarmament campaign promising a resettlement package for each youth that surrenders a firearm to the government. Each youth was given a card by the UPDF and put on a list of beneficiaries for the future package. It was initially successful however due to the fact that the resettlement package never arrived and the Ministry and UPDF chose to provide a sack of maize for each gun, many youths were demoralized and saw it as another betrayal by leaders.

For the youth few youths that received goats and iron sheets, they received fewer than promised, with the animals dying from diseases or being raided shortly after receiving them.

Some leaders such as Hon. Adupa John Robert of Lotisan sub-county refused the goats to be distributed in their areas as there was still a significant security threat. They instead requested for empowerment programs instead of handouts.

President Museveni meets the youth 2023

In light of the Ministry of Karamoja Scandal and the persistent bottlenecks in Karamoja and requests from the youth of Karamoja through the media and through organizations such as Karamoja Youth Agenda: Vision 2040. President Museveni invited select youth to meet him at Baralegi State house on May 15th 2023 and at his residence in Kampala on June 23rd 2023.

While these meetings were successful in that the President changed the mindsets of those who attended and have gone on to advocate to their fellow warriors, they were limited in their scope as there were still many youths from all the nine districts that were unable to get the message. Many warriors who were invited to attend feared that they would be killed and thus did not travel to meet the President.

Kacheri 2023

On the 20th of July 2023, a peace meeting was held in Kacheri Sub- County, Kotido District. It was well attended by local leadership and hundreds of Karimojong youth (Ngikarachunak), who used the meeting to once again air their frustrations and worries that whatever is discussed at the numerous peace meetings are seldom forwarded to the President.

Views from youth leaders

Herisi Omar Adam, a leader of Muslim Youth in Napak District noted that “A recurring concern arises when the President or representative visits…as it often seems that a select group of individuals, who have close connections or regular interactions with them occupy the frontlines, thereby preventing other members of the community, particularly youth from having the opportunity to engage with the President”. He went on further to add that “the recurring sense of being sidelined raises the question: why are we (the youth) not given equal access and chance to voice our concerns, aspirations and perspectives to the nation’s leaders.”

When citing the disconnect between leadership and the populace Mr. Paul Lokae stated “you realize the connection between locals and leaders ends after campaigning and declaration of leaders beyond that don’t expect trust again.”

Otyang Lucious a member of Karamoja Student’s development association raised the point that “leaders cannot be entirely excluded from discussions in Karamoja as they are elected for a reason and are important to the peace, reconstruction and development of our region.”

Hon. Prisca Abul Loyor (LC V Councilor Nabwal and Iriir) mentioned that there are several

government programs and initiatives aimed at youth empowerment however sometimes they remain on paper or funds are misappropriated at different levels and what remains is too meager to make a significant impact for youth or women’s empowerment.

Hon. Bildad Adome Moses (Former MP Jie County) cited the fact that there are some leaders in Karamoja who are actively fueling the instability by collaborating with raiding elements. He went on further to add that corruption by some officials has led to significantly watering down the impact of government programs.

Ms. Akot Christine, a NRM Vice Chair Moroto District noted that there was on some occasions a feeling of being sidelined by NRM youth leaders in Karamoja and a lack of involvement during Presidential visits”

Can a President Museveni youth tour bring an end to armed banditry in Karamoja?

President Museveni is well known in Karamoja, the term “Museveni, No Change” was created by Karimojong. In Past elections Karamoja’s votes, though fewer than other regions have overwhelmingly been in favor of the President and the NRM. All of its 26 MPs, 9 LC V Chairmen and 2 Mayors belong to the NRM Party which regularly scores 90% and above across Karamoja.

Karimojong culture is centered around respect for elders who are believed to carry powers from God to bless or curse the youth. He is respected as an elder and a President.

He would have the opportunity to explain to the youth why a peaceful Karamoja is to their best interests. To instill in them hope for development, even greater than it was in 2001.

How would such an event be structured?

There are three possible modalities that could be considered based on past successes, security concerns and our engagements with the youth of Karamoja. We will break down each.

1. The President could base in Statehouse Morulinga, send a message across Karamoja, on radio stations, through Local structures and word of mouth, instructing all armed youth to surrender their guns at the nearest detach (or predetermined location) and be given free transport to travel to meet him. All those who previously handed over guns would be invited. Special Forces Command and the UPDF 3rd Division could heavily deploy to ensure his safety and that of all who attend.

2. The President could spend one day per district, again with a strong security presence informing all youth to attend, hand over their weapons at a location far away from the event grounds and have a dialogue.

3. The President could camp in Morulinga and meet youth who will be bussed in district by district to ease identification and enable more coordinated movements of people.