Moroto | Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs met with key stakeholders in the Karamoja sub-Region as part of their visit.
The committee, chaired by Okeyoh Peter, Member of Parliament for the Bukooli Island constituency in Namayingo district, met on Thursday, August 22, at Moroto Council Hall.
“We are here to make sure that this region gets peace and tranquillity and as per our rules of procedure 159 (f) where the Speaker Rt Hon Anita Among directed that the Parliamentary committee moves out to Karamoja and greater northern Uganda to hold fruitful discussions on matters of peace, security, health, water, agriculture and other sectors a head of Parliamentary regional sitting in Gulu city where key issues shall be addressed,” said Okeyoh
Okeyoh emphasised that Parliament had taken a committee-sitting approach to get closer to the people, understand how they access social services, and receive updates on Uganda’s relations with neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan.
He added that once approved, the Karamoja Development Agency (KDA) would be the primary vehicle for synchronising and accelerating transformation in the sub-region.
Gen Peter Elwelu, Senior Presidential Adviser and Head of Governance Monitoring Mechanism for the Karamoja-Teso sub-region, stated that the region had experienced relative peace since the era of warriors ended.
He urged leaders to come together, combat corruption, and address food and water shortages.
The MPs praised regional leaders and joint security forces for their ongoing disarmament operations and efforts to pacify Karamoja, thereby promoting peace in neighbouring sub-regions.
Brig Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, Deputy 3 Division Commander, attributed the relative peace to ultimate sacrifice and bloodshed, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts to sustain and consolidate gains.
Stakeholders advocated for increased funding for security road improvements, community mobilisation, psychosocial programs, and youth empowerment, particularly among reformed warriors.
Adupa Lorika Dinah, Assistant Resident District Commissioner, advocated for the renewal of Alternative Basic Education for Karamoja (ABEK) and the reconsideration of the Government’s white paper on the Kajubi Report.
“Let us use tools like ordinances and by-laws to enforce compulsory education and marry it with security,” she advised.
Senior leaders advocated for the establishment of pillar centres to accelerate positive mindset change programs and mind disarmament efforts.
They committed to continuing to recognise and empower women’s structures, as well as strengthening local council systems.
The committee and stakeholders observed that the hybrid system of directly awarding contracts to entities undermines project implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability in most districts, which needs to be addressed.
On Friday, August 24, 2024, a similar stakeholder meeting was held at Karibu Conference Hall in the Abim district.
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