Karimojong herders from the southern part of the region have vowed to overwhelmingly vote for opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, if the government continues to block them from grazing their cattle in the Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve.
The threat was made during a community dialogue held on October 4 at Loreng Sub-county, convened by kraal leader Loduk Paul Lokabaale. At the meeting, several youthful and disgruntled warriors expressed anger at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) over an ultimatum that denies them access to vital resources within the protected area.
UWA recently imposed a ban on grazing and other human activities within the Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve, and rangers have since last month been driving away cattle found roaming in the reserve.
“If Museveni and his government have chosen wild animals over our livelihoods that depend on cattle, let him be voted for by wild animals. We shall choose Bobi Wine as our leader,” one of the youth said.
Another youth, only identified as Lomer, threatened that they would resort to arms to resist eviction from their ancestral grazing lands.
“Denying us access to grazing areas like Komiriapus and Lochahar dams—built by government for livestock—is hypocritical and undermines our right to a livelihood. We shall fight to the last man,” he declared.
UWA officials at the meeting insisted that it is illegal for cattle to graze in protected areas as this disturbs wildlife and threatens conservation efforts.
Mark Tiyan Golandi, a UWA community ranger, urged the herders and their leaders to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UWA to regulate access to conservation areas. He noted that illegal activities such as grazing and poaching have been worsened by insecurity from armed warriors, inadequate ranger staffing, and poor motivation—issues which he said are now being addressed.
Notably, none of the cabinet or state ministers invited for the dialogue attended. The meeting had expected the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Peter Lokeris, and the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to address the pastoralists’ concerns.
However, the Nakapiripirit Woman MP and Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Esther Anyakun, warned locals against politicizing UWA’s eviction orders.
She advised local leaders to channel their grievances to President Yoweri Museveni, noting that he is the only one who can direct UWA. She said the President would soon be in Nakapiripirit as part of his presidential campaign, offering a platform for engagement.
Meanwhile, Nabilatuk Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Jimmy Tebanyang, urged the herders to remain calm, stressing that UWA was merely implementing government policy.
He reassured them that President Museveni, currently on a nationwide campaign, would visit Karamoja, and that would be the right moment to discuss communal land use and grazing rights.
Tebanyang also warned the community against turning to violence, emphasizing that southern Karamoja continues to experience high levels of cattle rustling, unlike other districts.
