Karamoja, Uganda — The current peace that the country is talking about in Karamoja did not happen by just a mere word, but through sacrifice.
Many Ugandans prefer praising national figures when he or she dies, but they do not praise them when they are still alive to read their stories being talked about.
This publication takes you through the names of those UPDF and Police commanders who sacrificed for the current peace to prevail.
The first name to talk about is now retired Lt Gen Andrew Guti, who was the division commander of the 3rd Division.
Gen. Guti, being a native of Karamoja, used all means, including kiboko, against the hard-core rustlers.
Late Brig. Patrick Kankiriho later took over from Gen. Guti.
Gen. Kankiriho introduced amnesty to all hard-core cattle rustlers who accepted to voluntarily hand over their guns. His plan worked a little bit and apparently some local Karamoja artists such as Original Lopeta, Roadman, and others who were terrible warriors handed over their guns to Brig. Kankiriho.
Brig. Kankiriho also introduced cross-border peace dialogue, and until now that approach is still being used.
After Brig. Kankiriho, Brigadier Nyamunywanisa took over. He also contributed a lot to the peace in Karamoja.
Brig. Dick Olum took over from Brig. Nyamunywanisa. Gen. Olum also introduced dialogue, and in some areas where resistance was noted, the army used force to recover guns.
After Brig. Olum, Brig Richard Otto, now Lt Gen and in charge of CMI, also made great efforts, including encouraging Karamoja cultural events which are still being celebrated today.
At these events, peace and coexistence are discussed.
Gen. Otto also reinforced the cross-border peace approach, and this has contributed greatly to peace in Karamoja.
After Gen. Otto, Lt Gen James Lakara Nakibus moved vigorously and dealt with hard-core rustlers by ensuring that anyone found in possession of illegal guns faced the army court martial, and to date that is still happening.
After Gen. Lakara, Gen. Peter Elwelu took over and introduced the Moruitit Agreement, whereby if raiders steal two cows and these cows are recovered, they are doubled to four — each recovered cow goes with another cow.
This approach, which was also called the Nabilatuk Resolution, worked very well, although some elites took advantage of it for personal gain.
After Gen. Elwelu, Gen. Joseph Balikudembe took over and also consolidated the previous approaches established by earlier commanders.
Gen. Balikudembe, deputized by Gen. Felix Busizoori, now the 4th Division Commander in Gulu, embarked on community outreach and mobilized parents to take their children to school.
Gen. Busizoori discouraged Karimojong parents from sending their young children to look after animals, saying they were putting the lives of children at risk in case of cattle rustling and that these children’s future was also being destroyed since they were not attending school.
After Gen. Balikudembe, Gen. Don Nabasa took over and also consolidated the previous approaches established by his colleagues.
After Gen. Nabasa, Gen. Wilberforce Serunkuma is now the current Division Commander, ensuring that the achieved peace will not be destroyed by any rustler.
These are the Generals whose legacy should not be forgotten whenever anyone talks about the current peace in Karamoja.
It should also be noted that the Uganda Police Force also did a lot jointly with the army.
To start with, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Rtd) Okoth Obwona, who was the Regional Police Commander for the entire Karamoja region.
Also Assistant Inspector General of Police (Rtd) Grace Turyagumanawe, who was the commander under the Re-establishment of Law and Order in Karamoja (RELOKA) program. Many police officers also lost their lives during this exercise to bring peace to Karamoja.
Richard Aruk Maruk’s efforts should also not be forgotten.
These are people whose efforts should not disappear in vain.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
