Drought sends 6,000 Kenyan herdsmen into Uganda

Uganda has said more than 6,000 Turkana pastoralists from northern Kenya have crossed into its north-eastern border in search for water and pasture for their animals following persistent drought back home. The herdsmen have fled their drought-stricken region to settle in the north-eastern Ugandan districts of Kotido and Kaabong, the local Daily Monitor reported on Monday. Joseph Komol, the Kaabong district chairperson, said the pastoralists are temporarily settling in the two districts following requests from the Kenyan government. He added that more Turkana pastoralists could seek refuge in Uganda since the drought is continuing in the neighbouring country. “Their settling in Kaabong and Kotido was authorised by the two Karamoja districts after Kenyan authorities wrote requesting the two districts of Karamoja to allow the Turkana to enter and graze in Karamoja land,” said Komol. Peter Loduk, the chairperson of the Turkana community in Kamion Sub-county in Kaabong, lauded the Ugandan officials for allowing them to graze in their territory. “We have lost a big number of animals in Turkana due to drought,” said Loduk, noting that most of the water bodies in their region have dried up. The Turkana region of Kenya is one of the areas hit hardest by drought in the Horn of Africa region. Andrew Napaja, the Kotido resident district commissioner, said the presence of the Turkana pastoralists in Karamoja region is a result of a memorandum on peace between the pastoral communities. He said the Turkana pastoralists are only allowed to stay and graze in Uganda without bringing their guns into the country. “We have been having several meetings with them and we are telling them they are free to stay and graze in Karamoja but not to cross with any gun into Karamoja districts,” said Napaja. The official said the Ugandan military will give full protection to all the pastoralist community, including the Turkana. The two communities, Turkana and the Karimojong, are known for armed cattle raids. The Ugandan military is currently carrying out a disarmament exercise on the Ugandan side.