By Leo Odsra Omolo
CIVIC society have urged Kenya and Uganda governments to call an urgent joint security meeting along the common borders of the two sister nations to broke lasting peace between pastoralists communities.
The call by NGOs working among the pastoralists communities in the two countries followed the recently reported attack on the Turkana tribesmen by the men suspected to be members of the Uganda People’s Defence Force [{UPDF}
Unconfirmed reports indicate that on Augusr 15th, 2008 people suspected to be Ugandan security personnel launched an attack against the Turkana herdsmen displacing hundreds of them and killed ten people inside Kenya..
The more than 150 Ugandan soldiers used heavy gun fire in an attack that was reported to have lasted for the whole day.Ten people were confirmed dead, three suffered serious gun wounds injuries while three others are still missing two week long after the hostilities had ceased
But the Uganda Peoples Defence Fore{UPDF} has reacted with a stern warning that it will not allow the Turkana pastralists from Kenya to cross into Uganda in search pasture while carrying their weapons{guns with them}. They must be disarmed at the border point before the cross,said a UDPF spokesman.
UDPF’s Commander of the Eastern division Brigadier Patrick Kankihiro was quoted by the Kenyan press this week as having accused the Kenyan herdsmen of habving refused to surrender their weapons before entering i9nto Uganda territory in search of water and pasture for their livestocks.
Brig Kankhiro said the herdsmen, who are fleeing drought in Kenyan, would not be allowed into Uganda until officers are appointed to monitor their movements.
He wenton,”The herdsmen cross to Uganda with guns leading to accusations and counter accusations between them and the local communities here over cattle theft,”
Brigadier Kankhiro explained that during a meeting at Mbale Uganda, it was resolved that liaison officers from both Kenya and Uganda be appointed to monitor the border crossing activities by herdsmen.
“The matter should be habndle at high level diplomacy by the governments of Uganda and Kenya. The Liaison officers will be able to help the two governments to address the complaints from the communities involved,”
The Brig Said the herdsmen would only be allowed into Uganda after communications was received from the senior officials in Uganda and Kenyan.
Brig Kankihiro accused the Kenyan pastralist tribesnmen of sneaking into Uganda in search of pasture, but warned that they would be disarmed by force if that is found to be the necessary action should they defy the order to surrender their weapons.
“There was a time these pastrolists entered Uganda armed with gubns and killed one of our soldiers and even engaged in cattle rustling,”he said, accusing the two communities of engaging in violent cattle rustling.
A statement to thus effect was issued by a member of the Seeds of Peace International {SOPA} Mr Meindert Karevaar early this week.
He statement further explained that the alleged incursion by Uganda soldiers ended up they drove away 150 head of cattle, 120 sheep. Also stolen were 50 donkeys, which the soldiers drove into their nearby army barracks .The soldiers raided the pastoralists homestead in the border villages.
According to Lokichogio.Cropol Kakuma Development Organisation, another NGO, which is also operating along the border villages, four thousand people have now joined the rank an file of refugees status as Internally Displaced People{IDP} in their own country .
Insecurity in Northern Kenya has increased and this has been attributed to the traditional practice and couture of cattle rustling made dangerous by the infiltration of small arms
Earlier this month, about 70 people among the pastrolists lost their lives in an attack by bandits in three Kenyan villages in Turkana South district.
Pastralists communities are constantly in search of pasture and water.
UGANDA’S Ministry of Foreign Affairs decline to offer any comment about the allegations that Ugandan soldiers were involved in an armed attack against unarmed Turkana tribesmen inside Kenya. At the same time Nairobi declined to make further comment in reaction of the appeal by the NGO.
ends
Odera Omolo
– – –
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:53:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: KENYA AND UGANDA URGED BY THE CIVIL SOCIETY TO END CROSS BORDER INCURSION AND SKIRMISHES BY SECURITY PERSONNEL.