KARAMOJA LEADERS CONTINUE TO APOLOGIZE TO ACHOLI FOR CATTLE RAIDS BY CATTLE RUSTLERS

 
Chairperson LC5 of Kotido district Paul Komol Lote dancing during the commemoration of Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa at Paimol. Photo by Stephen Odong
 
By Stephen Odong

Agago District
 
Some leaders from Karamoja sub-region have unceasingly used any public gathering to openly apologize for the atrocities being orchestrated by Karamojong cattle rustlers to communities neighboring their region.

Leaders again used this pilgrimage to Paimol in Agago district, commemorating the Martyrdom of Blessed Daudi Okello and Gildo Irwa, Paul Komol Lote the LC5 chairperson of Kotido district asked the Acholi people to forgive them for the suffering and the hard times they have endured as a result of attacks by the Karamojong cattle rustlers.

“As the district chairperson of Kotido I would like to tender in my sincere profuse apology to the people of Acholi for all the atrocities and suffering meted on you by our people, the cattle rustlers of my people (the Karimojong rustlers), we are very sorry for that, we are doing all it takes to make sure that an everlasting peace is realized to spur up development in our region,” he remarked.

He added that, “I`m happy the disarmaments process commanded by the UPDF 3^rd Infantry division barracks and the other sister security agencies and stakeholders is yielding positive results and I can assure that a lasting solution to this problem with be found, we pledge to coordinate and collaborate with the leaders from this side to make this come to pass.”

Mr. Michael Ayepa, the technical divisor of Karamoja Elders Association at Karamoja cultural institution showcasing his dancing skills during the commemoration of the Martyrdom of Blessed Daudi Okello and Gildo Irwa at Paimol Martyrs shrine.

Mr. Ayepa equally used the event to air out their sincere apologies as cultural leaders to the people of Acholi for suffering. “As one of the Karamojongs, I want to say that we are very sorry for the insecurity and the lack of peace that the Acholi people have been grappling with, it was to a greater extent caused by our people (the cattle rustlers), we are deeply sorry,” he stressed.

Mr. Ayepa also pledged to work hard with the various stakeholders to ensure that an everlasting peace is attained which will make them to foster peaceful coexistence between the Karamojongs and their neighbor.

The Agago district LC5 chairman, Opiyo Leonard Ojok say one of the districts that has suffered immensely in the hands of the Karamojong cattle rustlers, they whole heartedly welcome the apologies tendered by the leaders of Karamoja subregion, which he believes will bring an everlasting peace in Acholi Subregion.

“Our prayer is that this should be a stepping stone towards realization of a peaceful coexistence between the people of Acholi and the Karamojongs, yes , it’s true we have suffered terribly in the hands of your people (Karamojong cattle rustlers) but as leaders we should now focus on bringing a lasting solution to the suffering,“ he emphasized.
 

Written by admin