Thursday, February 28, 2013

THE PEACE GARDEN, TEPETH SURGEONS VOW TO CONTINUE WITH FGM


Tepeth children learn how to use a bow and arrow, not gun anymore
His aim is to bridge the current hostility gap between Tepeth and Matheniko people. As a true son of a nomad, raised probably in the Kraal and later just ‘smuggled’ to school, he is well aware of the prime cause of the chronic aggression between the two groups, - it is mainly livelihoods. Livelihoods for nowadays, yet during the darker days of his forefathers it was seen fully from the ‘fame’ perspective. Today the justifications are; 50% reputation and the other half is the need for- yes, livelihood.

MP John Baptist Lokii has acquired land at the border spot (‘main crossing point’ –to use a military phrase) of the two tribes and initiated a crop growing project. According to a source closer to the Matheniko MP, the legislator has hired labour force both Tepeth and Matheniko to do the work. Currently, land preparation has started with workers trekking from the two opposite directions at daybreak to converge at the dream garden site located near Musas parish between Katikekile Sub County and Kodonyo parish –Moroto district.

In doing the above, peace maker Lokii intends to reduce animal raids, shrink wanton killings, create friendship by creating livelihoods for the two waring communities he represent in parliament. I find his strategy brilliant because the key motive behind raids, killings and other forms of thuggery in Karamoja today is the need for what to eat. It is thus not a joke like most people have taken it when almost everyone in villages in Karamoja give “Akoro”(hunger) as their biggest of the problems in the land nowadays.

How it might work: by clearing and creating a common workplace in a former battle-field, there will be no more hideout for the trouble causers (raiders and murderers). Secondly, there is a high possibility of satisfying the needs (through employment) of the dormant, outmoded and docile youth that are always involved in causing violence. Thirdly, by having a joint workforce (Tepeth and Matheniko) Mr. Lokii is capable of improving the social relationship –friendship between the Matheniko and their mountain counterparts. The ‘peace garden’ might also act as an assembly point where peace dialogues can be conducted and this will be good for the peace actors. Other development activities targeting the mixed up group can as well be initiated later by different agencies.

For the initiative, I feel Mr. Lokii needs to be commended and supported. Where are the other leaders? What are their plans? We might all not be good at digging foundations but we can join in at other stages of the construction of the peace block. Why don’t we put hands together so as to put an end to mayhem in our land as we look for development projects for our people.

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Shocking news from Tapac Sub County is that FGM surgeons have vowed to continue chopping ‘aerials’ of their women including young girls as their culture demands, provided the promise by government to support them in alternative livelihood projects is not realized.
“We were promised five million shillings last year, but we have not seen even a sign of anything” said one surgeon who preferred anonymity here. The mutilators considered FGM as a source of income according to an opinion leader in Lopelipel village.  Other Tepeth reason that the practice is such that the culture is kept alive, and some elders maintain that when a woman is mutilated then her sexual urge is reduced and she will not cheat on her husband.
For these surgeons to claim for payment upon accepting to abandon the practice is surprising. Whoever made the money promise should hurry back and change the statement or fulfil the assurance before these women lose their heads. However, in my opinion, dishing out money to these people is no correct answer. If FGM was the only livelihood opportunity for these women, then - alternative work should be created for the surgeons. I hope there was really no mention of money made to these women as they now widely claim.
Although available data indicates that the practice of FGM is fast diminishing, “at least 120 million girls and women have experienced FGM in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East where the practice is concentrated” reports UNICEF. The children UN body adds that “given the present trends, as many as 30 million girls under the age of 15 may still be at risk.”  In Uganda FGM is pronounced amongst the Sebei, Pokot and Tepeth people. Thus, the fight against this depravity should be a collective effort and should be sustained until the practice is killed, buried.
 
 
 

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