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| 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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