THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY WE SHOULDN’T MISS

Understanding Conflict:

 

Tepethland is not like Moroto town. Whereas you get mixed up every evening with raucous musical sound and noise of drunken brethrens and sisters while in town, real peace and tranquillity prevails while in Tapac - a typical indigenous African village setting. So I took advantage of this reverential environment behind the mountain to read and complete David Augsburger’s book, Conflict Mediation Across Cultures (Pathways and Patterns).

 

In it, Augsburger explores the true description of conflict, the fuel to it in the traditional time and at the contemporary moment. He also presents some plausible ways of handling clashes from corner to corner in different traditions. I found the book so rich, so challenging and very relevant to my current work, but also good for mending the existing (but-not easily visible) misapprehension between different people who live and work in Karamoja today.

 

I liked this observation: "conflict is a visible sign of human energy; it is the evidence of human urgency; it is the result of competitive striving for the same goals, rights and resources." Augsburger writes that disputes are part and partial of human nature much as most times it is destructive, he says it is also remarkably constructive!

 

The author reminded me of "The Opportunity we missed" debate, some two months ago. Here was when one open minded member of the Karimojong community sighted ‘a wrong’ in the way of sharing family fate as one people. The family dogs barked at the boy, and the boy’s relatives almost killed the dogs. It was fire. But Augsburger would curse my brothers who exchanged live bullets at the time, yet he would also say that the clash was necessary.

 

The book says "if a group were found in which such ebb, flow and counter flow did not exist; it would show no discernible life process". It goes on to emphasise, "in one society unwelcome words or deeds may be met with immediate violence, in another with covert attack through ... witchcraft or curse, a third moves toward compromise or conciliation. In some, a wrong requires retaliation, in others restraint. In one group honour is regained by revenge, in another honour is lost by retaliation since it lowers the avenger to the level of the offender". And my memory tells that the conflict fuelled by "the Opportunity we missed "debate openly lowered the fighters of the ‘wrong’ to -below the level of the offender!

 

I also learnt that global growth has come with gadgets that are now active in fuelling conflicts; these are industrialisation, urbanisation and technicalization. "All encourage contact among people, competition between increased visibility of inequities, injustices and inertia in social institutions." Thus, facebook, twitter, the use of phones, newspapers, radio, T.V and blogs are some obvious prerequisites for conflicts in today’s world. They encourage contact with strangers; they encourage participation in a discussion of a topic coined by strangers...

 

Personally I’ve ever hit my nose on media fuelled conflicts. Three months ago, a stranger - woman whose facebook face is the only thing I know insulted and worried me. I thought she would divorce her husband –just because she failed to understand the chat message that I unknowingly posted on her wall. Another chaos came my way when I posted a security story on a networking site; members cursed my actions to a point where others wanted my job to go to the dogs.

 

Indeed, the internet has become a very dangerous platform in a way, as rebel groups also use it for making revelations on the damages they cause. The al-Qaida network for instance uses the internet to threaten the world or to claim responsibility for killings or destructions committed. The Al-Sha-bab militants in Somalia are also in this business and several professional corn-men the world over as well use the internet platform or the media at large to make money through abduction of individuals and asking for ransom.

 

Other common fights that now live in the Karimojong working environment are those caused by such things as: Greed; greed is healthy but it hurts not only people, but the work goal. In most cases one man can assume to be more energetic, knowledgeable enough to do a single task so that -selfishly he/she can eat large. As we must know, ` team is stronger than individual.’ There is also prejudice; discriminatory characters judge others unfairly according to ethnicity, sex, skin, social status or regions of origin. Life and work become so traumatic and the targets are buried.

 

I pray and sob for the restoration of fairness, the adoption of merit systems and professionalism in our working environments, here in Karamoja, in our Country, in the African continent and indeed the world over. An open approach to settling conflicts and solving problems in my view would definitely make the world a far better planet to spend our lives. Off to the weekend house...

　

　

　

THE LAW IS ALIVE YET YOUNG GIRLS CONTINUE TO BLEED

   Girls this size in Pokot &Tepeth are already booked for marriage

She is called Christine. Her real name is Naupe. The 13 year old girl is in painful hiding from two of her people’s most cheeky cultural practices. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forceful early marriage for the girl child are the most disturbing cultural order for Pokot and Tepeth girls in Uganda and Kenya.

The season for FGM is here. It is practiced during harvest time when food is available to keep victims indoors for weeks or months after their ‘sweet aerials’ are cut off. Then immediately, wealthy men – no matter the age, men with animals can ferry these disabled children off to their dark sleeping chambers; for sex, sex that should ‘according to elders’ taste sweet to only one side – not to the feminine, -only for the masculine whose pistons are at large.

This is the story of Christine Naupe. Poor Naupe crossed the border about a month ago after several battles with her parents deep in Nasal –North Pokot district of Kenya. “I was already forced into marrying a very old man who offered goats and cattle to my parents, but the man’s condition made me think of dying instead”. The old man demanded of Naupe to go through ‘the women stabilising’ initiation process –FGM.

“I could not bear the pain of being cut because last year three girls died after over-bleeding caused by the mutilation and about 15 girls in our neighbourhoods disappeared due to fear of the practice” Naupe told this blog. Even after bargaining for the price of the girl and convincing the prey into this nasty cross-generational bondage, the old man in question continued to ask for more.

Naupe said “I was already set to stay with him because my parents convinced me that the wealth accrued would help our family. The only thing that made me jump off is the knife; old men believe that when a girl is not chopped, she can still move out with other men”.

Naupe trekked, crossed the border from Kenya into Amudat district of Uganda where some of her family relations exist. “I woke up, got out of the house at about past-midnight and started to my relatives in Amudat.”

By 10: am of a new day – a Saturday, the girl was at her aunt’s home in Amudat and by 6:00pm same day, the boys from Kenya following- hunting for her, also touched the same soil, but; “I was inside when they arrived and started asking for me. My aunt protected, told them she didn’t see me and as they proceeded to another relative’s home, I planned another journey that took me to Loroo and finally to here, to Tapac.”

As we curse, Naupe is currently trying to forge life eating free posho and beans –sharing with Tepeth pupils at Tapac Primary school. The catholic mission in Tapac learnt of her plight and the long journey she cleared before securing for her shelter in this school. Naupe also reported that she was in Primary two before her breasts developed eyes. With only one pair of clothing, no shoes –sandals, no beddings, no sanitary things –basin, soap... she still feels better while here –away from home.

Naupe is not alone; hundreds of Pokot and Tepeth girls go through this shameful and painful experience year in and out. According to media reports, last year alone 169 girls were cut. More 317 girls were abused in the year 2010 and a shocking 500 others were dissected in 2009. Although the percentage is promisingly coming down, more effort is really needed to hit the last nail on the FGM coffin.

Human rights activists rightly argue that the practice disgustingly infringes on the rights of women as it causes terrifying corporal and emotional injuries on them. Doctors also say a woman who has been cut is at high risk of developing gynaecological problems which might cause terrible difficulties during child birth. However, very little is directly being done by our governments to ensure its total elimination.  

Uganda enacted the FGM law in 2009. It is now up to the people and their leaders to ensure that the effort to fight the monkey business is taken seriously. For instance in July last year, 36 community leaders composed of kraal heads, religious bosses and LCs of Pokot Sub region –Amudat district signed a declaration to advocate against the practice. Such pronouncements should be encouraged and they must be walked and not merely written or talked.

 

NO BODY CAN STOP REGGAE! I WILL WRITE FGM NEXT WEEK

Two key issues dragged my mind this week. First, the surprise I received from this dim African whose egocentric aspiration is to see this platform dead and buried. But I say, even if it should die I will not burry it, I might choose to let it rot and taint all flowers in the crazy creature’s world! Will this amazing son of Adam burry it? I don’t think! I strongly believe that it takes sound mind to participate in the entombment of this podium should magic let it perish anyway.

The other matter is the pain in my neck. It came probably because from next week, my week days’ posting will be no more. I have acquired shelter outside the global village and will be spending my blue life here till weekend. But as I jet back to the global village, I have already told the chairperson to inform the villagers that I will always have a show. My hope is that the performance MUST keep the audience in hang-over for five good days before I get back with another rap at weekend.

I was almost browbeaten by the careless attack of the imp in paragraph one. But the words of Ramit Sethi kept my head high and the world should trust me, I will go by this man’s view. In an introductory note for a business counsel, Sathi writes:  

“Why you should stop listening to kooky weirdos about money.
How many of us have friends and family that are FULL of advice...that makes NO sense?
Your parents will tell you, "real estate is the best investment!" Your college advisor will tell you, "Better take Chinese! The future is in China!" And your friends will tell you about this "super-cool investment strategy" that they read about on a penny stock site.
Isn't it weird how everyone feels their opinion counts? Let me be the first to tell you: No. No, it doesn't.”

Ramit is inclined on pure business for money and wealth. But I will use this entrepreneur’s idea to walk all roads; do all businesses as long as my final destination is a free world, a peaceful planet, a developed earth.

Now reader, you can believe that am strong enough at this point. At First, I almost shifted the goal post. I even started a mini-business.  Your blogger bought second-hand wheelbarrows and put them in the hands of idle, docile and redundant boys in Camp Swahili town. I wanted to be one of the employers within and around! But by Monday this week, one of my drivers (wheelbarrow drivers) was already in pupu! This grouchy woman grabbed my crap from the driver claiming it was stolen from her compound. I swear, I bought the machine from a timber workshop using hard earned cash. The case is still in the LC court, and I need a lawyer ASAP.

There is news that would have come live on this site this week. It didn’t make it. It covers; the twist of events at Nakichumet where opportunists have started taking advantage of the calamity. As travellers try to find alternatives for easy movement, Lucifer’s boys are also scheming to do what their kingdom expects of them. Children of God must continue facing the mountain - praying hard for the devil’s mission to sink and sink forever!

Next in news was the pain mothers pass through in giving birth. This blog witnessed the passing on of a mother with baby in the stomach in Tapac behind Mount Moroto. A recent report put Karamoja region at the top end of this country in maternal death rate. If we are to generate reasons, they revolve around: culture, it is still poor.

Most of our mothers still have deep trust in the traditional birth systems where spirits are relied on fully to pull babies out from wombs. Poverty; our mothers are not yet there –where special feeding, particular medical expenses, ample rest time (in Karamoja a woman and a donkey have no difference) are covered. Thus, these mothers have to work hard at any cost despite what condition so they can eat and not die. Others are poor medical infrastructure or pitiable logistics in the available health units or few and or inadequately qualified medical professionals...

I also needed to alert all concerned bodies that harvest season is here and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) activists ought to face Tepeth and Pokot. Young girls have started disappearing from these communities because they get locked off in small huts and their ‘sweet aerials’ are sliced off just like that. Since this week is already wasted and nothing news has come out from this site, I will come back give a vivid account of this shameful practice (FGM) next week. Just next week. Trust me.

 

 

 

 

WHAT HAS THIS SEPTEMBER BROUGHT FOR KARAMOJA?

There is something that seems wrong with this month. This September started entirely in bad disposition. The only thing news is bloody! In a span of hardly one week; strange, fatal or actually death reports are the things people can hear and talk of. As I put this down, a colleague at my work place is reported bruised in an accident. She was on her way home to leak the sugar in an annual leave. Back at office, we are on our knees -to pray hard for her quick recuperation.

But the main issues are these critical accidents that rocked the vicinity of my current location – Karamoja. Comical ones are those reported at two Campuses of discipline –the prison stories in Kotido and Moroto. In Kotido, inmates reportedly scattered into the bushes as police officers in charge went for body fitness exercise -a road run. Bullets, am told roared in this dusty town until most of the campus students were fetched back.

Similarly, in Moroto, the afande in charge was ostensibly duped by these disciplined citizens. The boys, am told tricked police that they needed to pick their phone calls from nature! Boy, eye witnesses narrate that these students took the role of Steven Kiprotich after getting behind some bush. Police had no option but to shoot without missing. One unlucky gold medallist was hit and hurt not in the leg as required. Good thing, this wounded sprinter is currently chewing free medicine at Moroto regional referral boarding school.

Critical injuries caused by Asian craps called pikipikis are of all most weird considering the way they rocked the region. It’s unbelievable, yet we must accept and probably do something about it –at least pray for it.  Late last week; a man on a bike in Nakapiripirit district reportedly hit at a Tipa Lorry and his bones were immediately in broken pieces, limbs were badly out of order according to reports. As we say our prayers, the victim is receiving help in West Germany because no hospitals and no doctors were good enough for his assistance within our Country.

At the same time, another Youngblood in Moroto also landed with one more pikipiki and painfully broke all his two legs –bones chopped.  As we pray, this brother is being nursed at Mulago Hospital. Another man in Nyakwae Sub County of Abim district Friday last week reportedly kick-started the engine of his bajaj machine and entered gear one, gear two, three and four at the highest speed as he aimed at the sign post. His injuries according to those who saw are also terrible.

The motorbikes’ accident report that reached this website indicates that between Friday and Saturday last week alone, a total of nine people were admitted at Morulem Health Centre and most of them got transferred to Matany Hospital. A friend of mine who visited Matany tells that, the surgical ward is the busiest at present. “Almost every case is serious and nearly all of them are accidents from motor bikes”, he says. Before completing this write up, here is a phone call and guess what? Another accident! My Two home boys who were heading to Abim to attend two separate funeral services have entered the pikipiki ‘ambush!’ Moroto regional referral is trying to do service on the one injured person. As we pray, I even fear now to board a boda boda. My bicycle will be my jet for now.

Then, fire on the mountain! This should have been my catch-word; like never before, I almost witnessed live gunshot to kill. As we traversed Nakonyen village in Tapac Sub County Monday, people are on the run. The driver and me are stuck in thought that the farmers are either jogging to capture time, or the heavens is beginning to bleed. It was a simple stop that gave us the lession.

A self appointed 2^nd lieutenant is down and blood is burbling from his coconut. The young warrior clad in an army uniform had his ‘made-of-thread’ rank. According to the UPDF, the boy had a gun and was shooting at the combatants, before the trained men shouted bullets on his head. The army say the ‘lieutenant’ was with two other boys who had no guns, the two scattered free. Other cases of shootings and death are said to have occurred in Lorengedwat...

Thus, in order to try and save lives, traffic police might need to do more serious and real verification of the riders. There is need to regulate on speed. Police have all other possible reasons for the occurrence of accidents; I call upon them to do something. Then, as the grass continue to grow toll, let’s watch that some stubborn brothers still try to take advantage and look for innocent lives...Let’s be careful, this must be a crazy month!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY ENCOURAGE DIFFERENT COLOURS IN KARAMOJA?

“The golden opportunity we missed” has, to me, now become the golden opportunity we reaped! Is there anyone who disputes this fact?  Yes, I mean, we picked a lot from the message that John Bosco Ngoya unwrapped from his Karimojong heart last week after attending a ‘family’ ceremony in which sons, daughters and elders of the semi-arid state had converged to celebrate the survival of one of the sons.

 

Thanks are to God! The boy escaped a real national disaster. His name is Maj. Okidi, the UPDF pilot that survived death early this month. Don’t forget - the debacle claimed seven lives of fellow countrymen. The combatants encountered this mess in Kenya, when the plane crashed. They were heading to that failed state –Somalia...for a wrestle with the mighty Al-Shabab militants. So the thanks-giving ceremony was really a welcome thing. Thanks to Oscar, Amuno and all other living things that crafted the event. I didn’t attend it, but I hope all those who attended the thing went with the ‘prayer heart’ of God and not that ‘cursing heart’ of God’s lost son - Lucifer.

For the uninformed; some dirty exchange of written dycentry came up after this prayer opportunity for the lucky pilot. It was something that took place in Kampala any way. Ngoya John Bosco stated this of the party:
  

"Dear Sons and daughters of Karamoja,

Oscar Kanyangareng, sometime last week placed an open invitation for a great many of us to attend the thanksgiving prayer to be held at Victory Church for Major Okidi, the only pilot who made it to Somalia amidst the accident that rocked the nation a short while ago.  I thought this was an opportunity for us to celebrate this wonderful achievement as a region and probably galvanize our efforts around this event while strategists could be crafted in to see how to move Karamoja forward.  The service went great with the pastor blessing all the leaders and praying for the nation.  However, the reception turned a little off the mark since it turned into an Abim district affair (Ethur), a clan thing.  Got disappointed and walked out. I started cogitating, "When shall the Karimojong forget of these petty divisions and rise above the ....ness? Not sour graving but just wondering when we shall have a new breed of Karimojong (I hope the Ethur are Karimojong) galvanizing others for greater courses of action."

In my view, Ngoya’s outburst above is crucial because; it gives us a chance to identify the problems we have, but most importantly, I feel the message also gives us a chance to shoot the breeze on solutions for grievances at hand, so that we can make our Karamoja a better place to live in. Unfortunately, some people have chosen to take it wrongly. Some have gone personal, others are shouting simply because they crave to defend that -their Mammy’s food is best. Even those who have read wheelbarrows of books are engaging in this stupid tag. What for?

For me, a person who speaks out his mind is no enemy. He is actually a true friend. But one who represses issues at heart is enemy number one! When we tend to over-defend ourselves, we tend to sound guilty. Some people have made Ngoya’s statement look like a legal battle where lawyers have to scratch hard to ensure a win. In this way, some ungrateful friends have wrongly depicted Ngoya as a villain; others have simply exposed their weaknesses. Reading through the mails, I was able to identify probable traitors and credible Karimojong; –kudos Dr. Limilim, bravo to you Mark Ilukol! Thanks Oscar for your humble and clarifying remarks, but also JBN, let the free thinking roll on.

What is wrong with stating that there is divisionism in our region and probably suggesting that we need to sort it out? In fact, let me add that the thing is there and it may eat us up one day for as long as we are timid to quash it out. Do we need president Museveni to declare that Abim is a different region? Even if that is done, clan conflicts will still develop, then family clashes will grow, then we go back to live the life of lonely dangerous warriors in the bushes! Are we going forward or are we shrinking?

Some time back, I applied for a job in one of our districts and got shortlisted. But stress! The pain from common talks like to segregate according to; ngitoburit, ngimatheniko, ngibokora, ngidotho, ngijie, ngipian, ngitepeth, ngipokot...disheartened me! I did not attend the interview because I saw it as wastage of time, money, knowledge (that I could pour in front of the panel) and wastage indeed of integrity (as I felt the gang in the panel would look at me with prejudice).

The bottom-line:  The region is infested with tribalistic propensity and we should encourage talking it out, for it is only what we are told and we know that we can work on. What we don’t want to know will remain a problem for ever. Finally, I must boldly mention that Ngoya gave his view freely; Oscar gave a clarifying statement on the issues raised by Ngoya, but no! JB Amuno and Sagal Abraham, you traded in written dysentery. In your statements you went personal and you did not suggest any genuine solution...

Praises for you all.

TELL MAMA JANET: TAKE THE MODERN VILLAGE PROJECT TO THE TEPETH

Nakapelimen modern village for the poor in Moroto District

At the beginning of this month, some 11 people including a child died in Tapac Sub County of Moroto district –courtesy of changa (crude alcohol) and akoro(hunger). The UN World Food Program responded a week later by sending an emergency food supplies to the Sub County.

Before this crest hour, hundreds of Tepeth women, children and a few responsible men flooded the road via Loroo Sub County in Amudat into Kenya –into Alale of North Pokot district. These trekkers spent in Kenya, all the pennies they kept. They bought maize and other cereals that can be easily boiled for quick eating, for quick escape. Walking this long distance on an empty tummy, these Ugandans do not only lose too much energy, but health...death picks some along the way.

Others took their hunger to changa. This drug enters into this part of Karamoja illegally. The consumers call it “Sironko” because it comes from Sironko and Mbale districts. In one of the community meetings I attended, some clear headed Tepeth elder referred to it as “the second gun.” He considers the number of deaths caused by the drug as coming only second to those caused by the AK47 machine.

To my surprise, the dealers in changa in Tapac are not Tepeth. They are from Mbale and may be Sironko. Some are from Tororo. These dealers are teetotallers. They even spit aside as they serve their victims, –the hungry Tepeth populace. Then it is the marble trucks for Tororo cement that carry the changa all the way to this destination of ‘the poor and the ignorant.’

I spoke to David Omido, Tororo Cement Manager for Logistics and Utility based in Moroto mining site about the scenario. He said: “The trucks are not for Tororo cement, they are for individuals who only get contracted by the company to do the transportation of lime-stones”, Omido added that, “I tried to intervene by checking the trucks and pouring the alcohol some time back, but I was largely condemned by the whole community - especially the consumers as an enemy of people”. Omido also counts the losses on laxity on the side of government authorities. That leaders of the people are not protecting them. That the alcohol dealers are simply taxed and allowed to sell the killer thing!

However, the recent loss of lives and prevalence of hunger in Tepeth land seem to have rung alittle bell. Local leaders; politicians, elders and a few enlightened youth have launched an abrupt mobilisation of communities for land preparation for agriculture –for next year! One reason the Tepeth have floated in chronic poverty despite their fairer weather status is their way and places of settlement. They live atop the mountain. They show seeds on rocks, thus; most seeds shrink off. Some get eaten up by birds and others get washed off by erosion.

Currently, the Tepeth have agreed and started a process of slopping down the hills. In their hundreds these people are today clearing vacant land downhill for agriculture and eventual settlement. According to the Sub County LCIII chairperson, Peter Loboot, the community are encouraged by the construction of the Sub County headquarters, the building of schools and health units that are ongoing but on the flat land. Other developments include the establishment of a police post and the presence of about three army detaches.

“We have decided to convince our people to slop down from the mountain and develop these too much land available down.” Loboot said, “We also want our people to take advantage of the land for large scale crop growing, instead of wasting energy planting seeds on the rocks and nothing comes out of it every year”.

In my very own opinion, this is just the right time for government and other concerned development partners to come in and help this Ugandans. May I call upon the Firstirst Lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs to visit the Tepeth and chat with them a better way the government can give them a hand. I mean, the modern village project of Mrs Museveni could be the best deal in this part of Karamoja. To be honest with the world, some of the poorest Karimojong are the Tepeth forging life on top of Mount Moroto in this modern time, in this modern country.

 

Let somebody pass this information to Mama Janet. Let her secure some three modern villages for the Tepeth. The villages are doing well in Nadunget, Nakapelimen and Nakapiripirit. Let her close her eyes and throw some behind the mountain, who knows it might encourage the Tepeth to come down. Who knows, it might support some security interventions of government –if they come to the plane...I meant -make the people safer security-wise. Finally, I don’t speak for the Tepeth, I speak for the nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

DEATH; PAINFUL FAMILY DEATH, I CRY MTN, I CRY STANBIC

His wife died last week, he buried his child yesterday- yes, just yesterday and he passed on today. The circumstance for his demise is a sticky one. Why? It’s like a taboo to talk its detail in today’s motherland. But middle aged Lokuth was shot dead at about 6:45 am this Wednesday.

Flanked by three colleagues, Lokuth had gone to harvest charcoal for survival when anonymous gunmen rained bullets on them. Another man also shot did not die; now in Moroto hospital (may his soul remain with him). Two women in this ill-fated charcoal team managed to scatter safely. The incident took place near Nadiket in Loputuk parish along–Tapac road/Moroto- Kitale highway. Residents of Loputuk are in tears, they blame it all on the Tepeth.

Last month Government alerted local authorities in Tapac Sub County on the impending second round of Disarmament in the area.  Sure, the removal of guns from Tepeth is necessary and should be taken seriously. Everybody recognises popular report that disarmament was certainly a success story in Karamoja, but it’s wise to also take it that the thing was not uniformly done. Tapac, a mountainous area wasn’t cleaned and this could suggest why mayhem has persisted here.

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Two weeks ago, a gentleman - my neighbour came back from the ATM machine crying. His balance had mysteriously reduced by Ush 700,000/=. He reported the pain to police. Now imagine- after customers paying things like; withdrawal fee, monthly service money, depositing /queuing stress...how can it be nice to lose more cash strangely from the account? The reason people flood the bank every end of month is not only because they are really broke, but rather some want to grab their hard earned salary before ghosts pick ‘theirs.’

Well, the people of Karamoja appreciate the presence of Stanbic bank in the region. At least the bank is here with us waiting for, though not helping Karamoja to develop. Others do not want to come and wait. They see no; tarmac, no electricity, no big businesses, no large employers as a threat to the banking service. But Stanbic people need to style up a little and stop dreaming that they monopolise business in Karamoja. How can three branches serve seven districts? There is need for every district to have a bank!

Currently there are employees who spend almost half of their salary in transport from their location to the banking branch every end of month. This is not fair to the working citizens although economically it is fair and lovely for the banking institution...reducing cost of rent, salary for human resource, taxes etc. Does someone think I have raised a wrong point?

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There is also this telecom network called MTN. I love it; like everyone does but their service delivery in Karamoja is sincerely wanting. People would not grumble so much about the blinking network if they had good customer services here in Karamoja. For instance the cost of replacing MTN sim card for a Moroto resident is about Ush 90,000l=. Why?

Although personnel trained to do this are alive and happy within Moroto, they will never spare their precious time to help you out. Thus, you end up travelling to Soroti to replace MTN card where you will part with Ush 50,000/= for transport and spare Ush 30,000/= for accommodation and feeding. Another Ush 5000/= will be required to get police letter before thinking about the Ush 3000/= you must pay in replacement fee.

The point is MTN customer care in our Moroto and I think the whole of Karamoja is too poor. The

company staff communication with subscribers is that of a snob living in a village of the poor. They command, deceive and really condition people. Yet not all the services are even readily available; for instance the internet gadgets deal is so pitiable. MTN internet modem in Moroto costs three times one would pay for it in Soroti or other towns and you can’t even easily find the thing. On phone charging provision, I have heard several customers cry that batteries get changed if you go charging at MTN office in Moroto.

However, the Mobile money service is doing smart; probably because the deal has been given to several business people who are committed to respect customers in order to make more money. I suggest MTN bosses concerned need to restructure and improve services in Karamoja. Otherwise, there is a likelihood of losing more and more customers as competitors take advantage, for instance am very sure there are hundreds of people seeking to replace their lost sim cards, have failed and just given up because there is no one to help them out.  Please MTN do something!