President Museveni has left the country for Russian city, St.Petersburg where he will attend the second Russia-Africa summit, State House has said. The forum seeks to promote efforts to strengthen equal cooperation between Russia and African nations across all areas of society including politics, security, economic relations, science , technology, and the cultural and humanitarian spheres. Strong ties The administration in Kampala and their counterparts in Moscow have throughout the years enjoyed strong relations as the East African country is seen to be slowly moving away from the West. The ties have kept growing strong year by year. In 2019, President Museveni was among the few African leaders who were invited for the first-ever Russia-Africa summit in the Russian Coastal city of Sochi. Museveni has agains been invited the same summit set for July. Russian President, Vladmir Putin was among the first world leaders to congratulate Museveni upon re-election as president in January 2021. Uganda and Russia maintain cooperation in the fields of defence, education, energy, culture, trade and investment. Uganda’s bilateral trade with Russia has doubled over the last ten years, from $30m (sh112b) in 2009 to over $74m (sh270b) by the end of 2018, much of it in mining and ICT. Uganda has of recent further showed they cannot break ties with Russia when they(Uganda) abstained from voting to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Defence ties Uganda and Russia have specifically cooperated in the defence sector. Uganda has on several occasions purchased Russian made equipment including choppers. For example last year , the Defence Web, a South African-based website which monitors military purchases on the continent, last year reported that Uganda purchased new Mi-28 attack helicopters from Russia. Last year, President Museveni commissioned a helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility to refurbish Mi-24 helicopters at Nakosongola Air Base. The facility is the only one in the South of the Sahara and because of this, it will be used to repair, maintain and overhaul Mi-24 choppers not from only Uganda but the region at large since. This is because many countries in the region use Russian made choppers. In April, President Museveni said he couldn’t afford losing his great ally Russia. He explained that he has often indicated in writing to the Western partners on how the world should be run not through rivalry but through cooperation. “We don’t want this nonsense of rivalry, what are you rivaling for, we have got enough problems to solve as a human race. It should be through cooperation and respecting the internal issues of countries. How can you have the whole world thinking the same way?” He said it was in the same vein he told the Western world that tried to mobilize African countries to stand against Russia that it was impossible for Africa to tow that line. “I saw the potential of convergence of interests. We have no problem with Russia and vise-versa. How can you say we fight Russia without any reason? Soviet Union for the last 100 years has been with Africa, Asia and Latin America,” he said. Source; Nile Post
Uganda Refugee Survey Shows Low Prevalence of HIV and Strong Progress Towards Controlling the HIV Epidemic
Newly released data from the Uganda Refugee Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (RUPHIA) survey show a low (1.5 percent) prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 years and older living in Ugandan refugee settlements. RUPHIA also found, that among refugee populations, Uganda is making strong progress towards the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) targets for controlling the HIV epidemic – which call for 95 percent of people living with HIV to be aware of their status, 95 percent of those aware of their status to be on ART, and 95 percent of those on ART to achieve viral load suppression. In fact, among survey respondents in 2021, 82 percent of adults living with HIV were aware of their status; 90 percent of adults aware of their status were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART); and 93 percent of adults on ART were virally suppressed below detectable levels – meaning they cannot transmit HIV to sexual partners†. The survey also shows that more than seven in ten people living with HIV in Ugandan refugee settlements had achieved viral suppression, whether they knew their HIV status or not. These findings indicate that while people living with HIV in Ugandan refugee settlements are aware of their HIV status, on treatment and are achieving viral suppression, additional effort is still needed to find and link more of these individuals to treatment to accelerate progress toward ending HIV. PHIAs are large, nationally-representative surveys – implemented under the leadership of Ministries of Health, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC and partners – that directly measure progress toward global targets for ending the HIV epidemic. RUPHIA, conducted from October to December 2021, sought to measure the impact of the HIV response, including prevalence of HIV and of viral load suppression, among adults living in Ugandan refugee settlements. Of the 1,250 eligible households, more than 93 percent (93.4%) or 1,168 completed a household interview. “RUPHIA is the first household survey of its kind to assess the impact of HIV treatment and prevention services within Uganda’s refugee settlements,” said Lisa Nelson, MD, MPH, MSc, CDC-Uganda Country Director. “CDC commends all partners in this effort which has provided valuable data for improving programs designed to treat and prevent HIV infections in Uganda’s refugee settlements.” Uganda is home to more than 1.5 million refugees – the third-largest refugee population in the world and the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Ugandan refugee settlements house refugees and asylum seekers mostly from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and other countries. The asylum seekers and refugees, nearly 80 percent of whom are women and children, co-exist with the communities that host them. Conflict and displacement make women and children, particularly girls, disproportionately vulnerable to HIV. Refugees frequently face stigma, both because of their status as refugees and because of the common misconception that HIV prevalence is higher among refugees than in host communities.1 RUPHIA data show a lower HIV prevalence of 1.5 percent among adults living in Ugandan refugee settlements compared to 5.8 percent for Uganda’s general population – as reported in UPHIA 2020. Since 2017, CDC Uganda has supported HIV treatment and prevention services in Ugandan refugee settlements through its partnership with Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University and Baylor Uganda. As part of the country’s Refugee Response plan, these partners support monitoring for new and existing cases of HIV at Ugandan border crossings and refugee settlements, help link clients to HIV treatment, and provide important laboratory services, including a safe and reliable system for transporting samples to the lab. Today, nearly 2,500 refugees are currently receiving ART through health facilities supported by CDC and IDI. With support from CDC, IDI has established more than 25 health care facilities that are accredited to offer ART and TB services within Ugandan refugee settlements – all of which are connected to the national laboratory network system. As a key PEPFAR implementing partner, CDC supports countries to effectively respond to their HIV epidemics and other global health threats, ultimately protecting Americans at home. RUPHIA was led by the Government of Uganda (GOU) through the Ministry of Health (MOH), with funding from PEPFAR and technical assistance from CDC. The survey was implemented by ICAP at Columbia University and MOH in collaboration with other GOU entities including the Uganda Virus Research Institute , Office of the Prime Minister , the Uganda Bureau of Statistics , and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Source; CDC
MICROFINANCE BODY FAULTED FOR FAILURE TO SPEND EMYOOGA FUNDS
The Microfinance Support Centre failed to absorb a total of shs21.2 billion of the Emyooga grant in financial year 2021/2022 according to a report by the Auditor General. In his report to Parliament, the Auditor General observed that shs100 billion was meant for SACCOs under the Emyooga programme but only shs78.8 billion was disbursed. In a meeting with officials from the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), legislators on the Public Accounts Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) queried the way the funds were absorbed. The meeting was held on Tuesday, 25 July 2023. Hon. Roland Ndyomugenyi (Indep., Rukiga County) asked officials from MSC to explain why they failed to fully absorb the money yet it was budgeted for.“The moment you make a budget and Parliament appropriates the money, you are sure that you are going to spend that money. Failure to spend that money means you are limiting other sectors who want an opportunity to do service delivery,” said Ndyomugenyi. Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi (NUP, Kyadondo County East) said there has been delayed support to SACCOs including registration, which has limited their timely access to funds.“The process of identifying beneficiaries especially the Emyooga SACCOs appeared to be bureaucratic. The money came and communities were excited that they would receive the funds but now they are hearing that you took back the money,” Nkunyingi said. Hon. Nkunyingi (2nd R) said that there is delay in supporting Saccos Nkunyingi added that failure of MSC staff to follow due diligence in loan disbursement indicated that incompetent loans officers were employed. He tasked the MSC officials to detail the efforts put in place to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the funding. Hellen Masika, the Deputy Executive Director at the Microfinance Support Centre attributed incomplete absorption of Emyooga funds to the winding verification process.“This money was not supposed to be touched because it was committed for SACCOs that had certificates of registration. However, the process of verification delayed their access to the funds,” Masika said. The Committee Chairperson, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi also put the MSC officials to task over the disbursement of four loans worth shs4.1 billion that was done without proper loan appraisals.“Without a loan appraisal, there should be no recommendation for one to get a loan. On what basis was this money given because we are beginning to think that either there are untouchable people or your staff members got this money somehow?” said Ssenyonyi. According to the Auditor General, MSC did not give due attention to assessment of the financial performance of SACCOs that applied for loans in the year under scrutiny. His report indicates that a total of shs3.7 billion in loans was disbursed to clients who lacked vital documents, whereas shs1.3 billion was advanced to clients without collateral. Masika (L) with colleagues from the MSC as they appeared before CosaseMasika said loans were paid out without adequate appraisals due to recruitment of staff at different levels who have varying levels of experience.“When we are referring staff to zones, there are those who are very experienced and those who are new and are learning. But through continuous training, this weakness has been improved as of today,” she added. Hon. Nathan Itungo (Indep., Kashari South County) alluded to section 4.5 of the Microfinance Support Centre Credit and Operations Manual 2017 that provides for areas of focus during the loan due diligence process, including security for collateral to be offered.“This is a law that is within your section. Your explanation that there are new loans officers who cannot follow the law does not hold anything. Whoever comes into the organisation should follow the manual,” Itungo said. Nwoya District Woman Representative, Hon. Judith Achan said there was likely to be fraud and connivance at MSC which facilitated the irregular loan disbursements. Source; Parliament of Uganda
Speaker tasks new judges to tackle case backlog
The Appointments Committee of Parliament has implored the newly appointed judges of the High Court to decisively tackle the long-standing problem of case backlog. The Speaker Anita Among, said the high case backlog is frustrating the dispensation of justice in the country.‘’I congratulate you upon being entrusted with the task by the appointing authority and I want to urge you to join others in tackling the issue of case backlog that has hindered swift dispensation of justice,’’ she said. Among who is also the chairperson of the committee said this as they vetted 13 presidential nominees that include 11 judges of the High Court, the Executive Director of the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Chairperson of the Education Service Commission. Speaker Among A case becomes backlogged when it has been in the justice system for more than two years without being heard and determined. President Museveni in a memo dated 17 July 2023, to the Clerk to Parliament made the appointments in a bid to solve the staffing gap in the Judiciary. This followed Parliament’s approval to expand the staffing structure of the High Court judges from the current 83 to 151. The newly appointed Judges are Flavia Nabakooza, Philip Willebrod Mwaka, Amos Kwizera, David Samson Makumbi, Dr Christine Akello Echookit, Jamson Karemani Karemera Jacqueline Mwondha, Aisah Naluze Batala, Rosette Comfort Kania, Patience Tumusiime Rubagumya and Farouq Lubega. The committee also interfaced with Financial Intelligence Authority Executive Director Samuel Wandera Were , and Education Service Commission Chairperson Pro.Dr.Samuel Luboga Abimelech. The committee will submit a report recommending approval or rejection of any of the nominees to the President. Source; Parliament of Uganda
Museveni orders on KCCA top jobs
President Museveni has instructed his Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to call an emergency meeting to decide the fate of the contract renewal of the top three directors of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). In a July 15 letter to Kampala State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the President notified the minister to be on stand-by for this emergency meeting which is expected to be held between today and tomorrow. Mr Museveni yesterday met top KCCA officials, including executive director Dorothy Kisaka, and discussed the current crisis at the City Hall. The President, according to sources, tasked his PPS, Dr Kenneth Omona, to ensure that there’s no vacuum at the City Hall. The contracts of Ms Kisaka, her deputy David Luyimbazi and director of administration and human resources Grace Akullo, will expire on Sunday, July 23, pending renewal. The source said affected parties will be joined by ministers in-charge of KCCA and metropolitan areas, and the chairperson of the Public Service Commission in this meeting whose details [including venue and agenda] have not been disclosed yet. Daily Monitor established that the president’s letter was also copied to, among others, Vice President Jessica Alupo, the chairperson of the Public Service Commission, the PPS, the line minister and the KCCA top leaders. On July 19, Ms Kisaka wrote to her line minister, Ms Minsa Kabanda, seeking her endorsement for the KCCA top job. Ms Kisaka informed the minister that she had forwarded all the relevant documents, including a narrative of achievements, challenges, planned activities and a summary performance for the Financial Year 2020/21 to Financial Year 2022/23. “I thank you for your continued guidance and support in your supervision role and further humbly seek your endorsement for contract renewal,” she said. Mr Kyofatogabye, the State minister for KCCA, last Sunday informed this publication that the three directors’ contracts renewal won’t be done on time because Ms Kisaka had not submitted full documents as required. “She has to fill and submit the Public Service Commission Form, which stipulates how a public servant has performed during her tenure, key responsibilities, achievements, and pending works. It is after here that we shall hold an appraisal meeting with her and the entire team whose contracts are expiring before we submit our comments to the Public Service Commission who will scrutinise further before forwarding to the president who is the appointing authority for consideration,” he said. Way forward On Monday, Ms Kisaka said they [affected individuals] will follow the well stipulated government systems in their quest for their contracts renewal. The bearers of KCCA top offices are nominated by the president who later send their names to the ministry of public service for vetting and approval. Source; Daily Monitor
Finance Committee to Scrutinize Utilisation of Budgets
The Committee of Finance is to study and reconcile financial statements of the Consolidated Fund account for the year ending 30 June 2023 and report to Parliament. While chairing the House on Thursday, 20 July 2023, the Speaker Anita Among said failure by some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to effectively utilise their budgets is an indictment on the planning function at various levels.“If you have budgeted for Shs1 billion and have not been able to consume all the money and return it to the Consolidated Fund, then you are affecting the budgeting process. You must budget for what you know you will consume,” Among said. She noted that National Development Plan (NDPIII) is in its fourth year of implementation and as such, resource mobilisation should match the aspirations of national developments.“I call upon leaders and technocrats to ensure that efficient, effective and economic utilisation of the approved funds is being done,” Among added.Hon. Fredrick Angura (NRM, Tororo South County) attributed the return of unused money to the Consolidated Fund on late releases of the funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.“As Parliament, we do appropriation and pass the budget before we know how much is going back to the Treasury. We need to develop a good understanding on how we shall handle these funds,” said Angura. Hon. Solomon Silwany (NRM, Bukooli County Central) alluded to resolutions by Parliament to take action on some under-performing accounting officers saying government has made much progress on it. Hon. Basalirwa Bugiri Municipality MP, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa noted that some MDAs receive more funds than they are entitled to in the budget of a given financial year.“An entity budgets for Shs15 billion but they receive Shs17 billion; we are asking how this comes about. To address this, we should seriously look into reforming the Public Finance Management Act,” said Basalirwa. The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja said the President issued a directive that the money returned to the Consolidated Fund should be returned to the respective entries in the first quarter of the next financial year. Usuk County MP, Hon. Bosco Okiror welcomed this development saying the funds can be used to to complete the intended projects. Ibanda County North MP, Hon. Xavier Kyooma, however, said the statutes in place do not allow for disbursement of money returned to the Consolidated Fund, to the same entity.“An entity whose funds have been swept back cannot have these funds given to it at the start of a new financial year, until invoices are raised. They must be raised according to the appropriated funds of the previous budget,” Kyooma said. Hon. Kyooma The Speaker also directed that the utilisation of the Shs1 billion disbursed to districts for maintenance of roads outside the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) jurisdiction should be stopped.“Before we get a report from the Committee of Physical Infrastructure on the guidelines for the use of this money, it should not be used. The House must first approve those guidelines,” Among said. Source; Parliament of Uganda
Let’s get back to the drawing board on insecurity in Karamoja.
Save for a recent event, the last time there was a mass burial in Karamoja was in 1972, when the government of President Idi Amin killed protesters against his culture policies in present Napak district. These traumatic experiences were relived three weeks ago, when the district local government of Kaabong mobilized its earth moving equipment to bury dozens of young people killed in an attempted raid in Lolelia, Kaabong district. At this event, it is reported that 34 young people were killed, however, security sources have not confirmed the exact number of deaths, or the firearms recovered. In Kotido, home to those cattle rustlers, whole sub counties are mourning their sons in the quiet of their abodes, fearing reprisal and public shame because of the illegality of their children’s actions. It’s been three full years since violence returned to Karamoja, a place that enjoyed Uganda’s most peaceful status just the decade before. Our last count of the dead, before we got traumatized and gave up counting was 3000, around July 2022. If the decrease in violence and death is any indication that the situation in Karamoja has improved, the region has seen a sharp increase in violent incidents over the past month. In just a couple weeks, at least 10 have been killed in Moroto and Napak alone; another 10 have been killed under mysterious circumstances in Nakapiripirit, in the Pian-Upe grazing corridor. Youths were shot while they were making their herding sticks (ngibelae) at a fireplace. Harrowing video footage makes rounds on social media of four killed as they slept in a kraal in Moroto. There is both mystery and controversy over lost and unrecovered bodies. Arson and machete attacks over grazing grounds have happened at grazing grounds. In the shoot-first-ask-questions-later response of our government and its military & security architecture, a chaotic disarmament has been in place since July 2021. Despite running, there has been little progress. The military’s strategy, if there’s one, has been compounded by problems elsewhere. Its ability to protect people and property has been largely a failure, its cooperation with local leaders is at an all-time low. Mistrust between the military and local leaders continues to hamper operations and counter accusations of complicity are rife at all levels. Close to 200 billion shillings has been devoted to dealing with the conflict in Karamoja in 2022, most of this going to the military. While military sources say a chunk of these monies have not been released by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense, the little change in operations on the ground have been too little, with a faltering effect. Outside of the military, talk is rife of misappropriation of the OPM’s Shs39 billion released for the purpose of tackling insecurity. In the three years since, the stakes have never been higher. An increasingly worrying situation, compounded by the most worrying pasture crisis in the region – which is affecting the availability of forage in Karamoja is set to climax by March 2023. An imminent food security crisis, worse than that of 2022, will make this experience even harder. With critical Ugandan publics and government increasingly apathetic to the crises in Karamoja, this is a reminder that the precipice on which Karamoja now stands involves all of Uganda as well – its security, sovereignty, economy, and politics to mention but a few. The costs of this deterioration are piling up and can only get more unbearable in the national scheme of things. At this den of disasters called Karamoja, we find ourselves on the edge again. The Presidency, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defense and Karamoja’s elected leaders must urgently convene to have a frank conversation about security problems in Karamoja. Indispensable to these efforts must be a strategic and sustained dialogue within and amongst conflicting groups. Managing the conflict in Karamoja is clearly cheaper than letting the conflict run wild. The monies invested so far in military operations; food crisis response go beyond hundreds of billions of shillings. For events ignored at the onset, the cost-benefit of both inaction and indecisiveness will cause unbearable costs to the communities in Karamoja and the rest of the country. This real cost is in both blood, money and property. There continues to exist a moral, political and economic imperative to act now. Bring all the efforts from 2022, take the situation more seriously and help us prevent a crisis in 2023 and beyond. Source; Daily Monitor
MPs wonder who is in charge at UNBS after minister reveals ED defied order to go on forced leave.
In a stunning turn of events, David Livingstone Ebiru, the Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), recently admitted before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) that he bribed the Board of Directors with shillings 100 million to retain his position. This confession has sent shockwaves across the country and raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the institution. In response to the unfolding scandal, the Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, appeared before COSASE to provide his testimony expressing his bewilderment at finding Ebiru still occupying the position of UNBS’s head despite his directive to the Board of Directors on June 26, 2022 to place the embattled Executive Director on forced leave. “I was shocked to see the embattled Executive Director at the committee hearing. I had issued a letter to the Board of Directors instructing them to immediately send him on leave,” revealed Minister Francis Mwebesa during his appearance. This revelation has cast doubts on the implementation of the Minister’s directive and added more scrutiny to the ongoing investigations into the bribery allegations. It highlights the complexities and challenges faced in addressing corruption and unethical practices within the institution. Meanwhile, the COSASE members did not stop at the UNBS bribery case. They also raised concerns about the numerous waivers being granted to certain companies in Uganda. The legislators argued that such waivers not only pose potential health risks to Ugandans but also raise security concerns for the country. Furthermore, the PIVOC (Public Investment Vehicle Ownership and Control) program came under scrutiny for allegations of corruption. The embattled Executive Director claimed that the best-evaluated bidder was announced without his knowledge, casting doubts on the transparency and integrity of the procurement process. As the investigations continue, the revelations presented during the COSASE hearing shed light on the challenges facing UNBS and the need for enhanced accountability, transparency, and ethical practices within the organization. In a related development, the Committee took action against the Personal Assistant to Minister Mwebesa, a one Wabusanyi, who was handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) police. He faces allegations of contesting in the Parliamentary elections without resigning and subsequently returning to the Ministry. The unfolding scandal at UNBS serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and maintaining transparency within public institutions. It underscores the need for stringent measures to combat corruption and protect the integrity of organizations responsible for upholding quality standards and regulations in Uganda. Source; Nile Post
Male MPs launch forum to fight for the boy child.
A section of the Male Members of Parliament has launched a new association dubbed Uganda Men Parliament Association (UMEPA) to advocate for the rights of a boy child as well as address some of the challenges they face. While speaking at the launch in Kampala on July 20, Mr Alex Kintu Brandon, the chairperson of UMEPA, said a boy child has been so neglected in the country and therefore there is a need to give them a platform through which they can fight for their rights. “As legislators, we thought it would be very necessary to have a supporting voice, we know we are very courageous as men but we do go through a lot. Sometimes, you may reach home and you don’t talk to your wife because of stress. This forum I believe will help us to address some of our challenges,” he said. Mr Brandon added that although there are many forums in existence, as legislators they see a very big gap in addressing boy child problems. “As a forum, we are going to do the continuity of those forums that are in existence within all structures both at local and international levels. We also want a voice, a space and balanced thinking that when you are a man, and you are frustrated, you don’t have to go home and beat your woman,” he noted. Similarly, Mr Hillary Kiyaga alias Dr Hilderman, a UMEPA committee member, said the girl child has been empowered more than boys, especially in all government programs starting with education. “When we have that imbalance in empowerment, there comes a great effect in the future. So, we had to champion the drive and awaken the men and remind them that we are here to fight for them,” he said. Joyce Nakato, a representative from Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum also urged the public that whenever they give out support to girls, they should as well consider the boy child because they play an important role in nation-building. “Most of these young people go through many challenges such as issues of drug abuse, unemployment, and early marriages. They are not only affecting the girl child but also the boys because there is no way the girl can become pregnant minus the boy,” she noted. Ms Safia Nalule, chairperson Equal Opportunity Commission, urged the Member of Parliament to use political spaces and laws as well as have partnerships with other institutions to empower a boy child. Source; Daily Monitor
Kenya-Uganda Diplomatic Tensions Over Armed Pastoralists.
The Uganda Security Forces, led by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, under what is termed ‘intelligence-led disarmament’ conducted a cordon and search operation at Turkana Kraals in Lokeriaut parish, Nadunget Sub-County, Moroto District. The operation was hailed by many as the biggest singular recovery of illegal guns since 2019 with 31 guns and 751 rounds of ammunition recovered. 120 Karimojong and Turkana youth were rounded up and arrested however only 32 appeared before a military court martial in which they were found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in Prison. Under Ugandan law any person found in illegal possession of military weapons, uniform, equipment or ammunition is subjected be tried under Military Court Martial. UPDF for its part states that the Turkana and Pokot are “subject to the ongoing disarmament operations in the Karamoja sub-region and National laws of the Republic of Uganda.” This is not the first time as earlier this year the UPDF arrested and released 6 Turkana herdsmen who had entered the country with firearms after a High level delegation dispatched by H.E William Ruto and led by CS EAC Affairs Rebecca Maino travelled to Uganda for a meeting on cross border coordination. The first meeting of its kind since 2019 in which the President’s Special Advisor for Defense and Security (SPADS) General Caleb Akandwanaho (AKA Gen. Salim Saleh) presided over the meeting and reported direct to H.E President Yoweri Museveni on what transpired. During this meeting it is believed issues of Armed Pastoralists from Kenya entering into Uganda and thus prolonging the disarmament operations was raised and CS Maino requested their release. Turkana and Pokot (of Kenya) Have been known to fuel the conflict in Karamoja through supply of Ammunition, firearms and exchange of stolen livestock with raiding gangs. Karamoja Trumpet has also ascertained through confidential informants that on some occasions, some corrupt local leaders and some errant security officials (from Kenya and Uganda sides) liaise with raiders to provide them necessary tools and cover for their raiding activities. Background For many years Turkana and some Pokot herdsmen migrate during the dry season into Karamoja, in search of pastures for their flocks. Some even have Ugandan and Kenyan IDs and vote in both elections. Before NRM Disarmament 1 (2001-2011) All Karimojong communities were armed and this gave the Turkana reason to travel heavily armed given that they have more access to acquire guns from Ethiopia and Sudan. From 2011 to 2019 there were fewer raiding incidences though the Turkana still moved into Uganda with guns. Era of cooperation Turkana County Government, in knowing that some of their populations were living in Uganda for most of the year would occasionally donate food, support Ugandan health enters and more to ensure their populations were catered for while in Uganda. This culminated in the September 2019 Cross Border Peace and Development MoU signing by President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Yoweri Museveni in Moroto District. It was hoped that this MoU would bring much needed agreement and good will from both sides to develop the entire Ateker Cluster. EU, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and others were lining up to support cross border peace and development, promising funding worth tens of millions of dollars. COVID-19 and Election seasons Sadly, the covid-19 pandemic, 2021 Uganda and 2022 Kenyan Elections prevented the implementation of this MoU as both Governments were focused on multiple issues. The War in Congo and Fight against the Al-Shabab militant group and other ISIS Affiliates (ISCAP) also took centre stage around this time Involvement of Turkana and Pokot Herdsmen in Cattle Rustling in Karamoja 2019 to date Since 2019 Kenya and Uganda have been grappling with a resurgence in banditry, cattle rustling and general lawlessness. Key grassroots peace actors and intelligence officials have been assassinated across Ateker Cluster by criminal elements seeking to thwart peace efforts. The most notable was Hon. Apollo Dan Loyomo (Former LCIII chairman Rupa s/c) who was shot by a rogue Local Defense Personnel on December 17th while attempting to promote peace and cooperation with the security forces. Shortly after his death on December 30th 2019 at Lokitela Ka Ekuwam Peace Meeting attended by community leaders, elders, security personnel and raiders(teleconference) from Matheniko, Bokora and Jie and Turkana communities it was revealed that; On 23rd of march 2019 after government withdrawing forces from Karamoja, Suspected Jie warriors attacked the Turkana of Kenya in the revenge of a raid that took place on 27th of march 2003, this is a raid where by Suspected Turkana raiders allegedly raided 7,000 heads of cattle from Jie. When Jie warriors tried to revenge, the UPDF disarmament 1(2001-2011) cordon and search took them by surprise in the process and they were not able to launch the revenge. This anger was not dealt with and some waited for the opportunity. The suspected Jie warriors were successful in that raid. They took 74 heads of cattle, injured 2 boys and killed an old woman. They again attacked on 18th of May 2019 and took 146 heads of cattle, 3 of them were killed, they injured 1 boy. They again launched on 30th of August crossed the Kobebe area and were sighted at the border by the Turkana women who were collecting firewood. These women took the report home and the Turkana responded and repelled them. A week later on 6th of September 2019, suspected Turkana raided Jie and took 400 heads of cattle. They passed Kobebe Area on their way to Kenya, Jie elders claimed that “Enapito Ikoku alo Kaku (the Matheniko are carrying the child on the back)” This statement meant that the Jie were asking why the Matheniko did not stop Turkana raiders who passed on their land. They thusly begun raiding Matheniko and Turkana herds. Lack of response from security forces who were thinly deployed in Karamoja due to demands from other UPDF areas of Operation such as Congo and Somalia meant that raiding groups were emboldened to raid further knowing that there would be little response. In 2019