Various stakeholders including local leaders, religious figures, and elders have offered a range of opinions on the recent appointments of cabinet ministers for Karamoja Affairs. The newly appointed minister, Simon Peter Lokeris, formerly serving as the State Minister for Energy and Minerals and representing Chekwii County in Nakapiripirit district, assumes the role following the replacement of Mary Goretti Kitutu, who was implicated in the iron sheets scandal.
President Museveni also made changes by replacing Agnes Nandutu with Florence Nambozo as a State Minister for Karamoja Affairs. However, the selection of Lokeris, a native of the region, has stirred mixed reactions within the political landscape, religious circles, and the council of elders, drawing both hope and disappointment.
Rt Rev Joseph Abura, the Bishop of Karamoja diocese, emphasized the importance of the new minister’s vision for uplifting the region and urged him to focus on rebuilding trust among the Karamojong people. On the other hand, John Robert Adupa, the LC3 chairperson of Lotisan Sub County in Moroto district, expressed optimism, seeing the appointment as an opportunity to effectively tackle the region’s challenges. Adupa stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts between the minister and local leaders to drive development initiatives forward.
However, Ceaser Akol, the Moroto district speaker, urged caution, acknowledging the limitations imposed by scarce resources and the necessity for the minister to adhere to government directives. Akol encouraged the community to extend support to the minister’s endeavors and emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing the region’s issues.
Despite pockets of optimism, some elders remained skeptical about the appointment, questioning its potential to yield substantial improvements in the region. Jackson Angella, an elder from Moroto town, criticized the president’s repeated selection of Karamojong leaders who have failed to deliver significant results. John Bosco Akore, the secretary for Kotido Elders Council, echoed these sentiments, advocating for a more inclusive selection process to identify leaders capable of uniting the diverse communities within the region and addressing longstanding service delivery gaps.
With a notable track record as a longstanding member of parliament and former state minister, Simon Peter Lokeris brings considerable experience to his new role as Minister for Karamoja Affairs. His leadership of the Ateker Union, spanning across Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda, positions him well to navigate the intricacies of regional governance and development, offering a glimmer of hope for the future of Karamoja.
