By: Jotham Alinaitwe
KAMPALA
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has today dispatched the final batch of over 100,000 iron sheets pledged by President Yoweri Museveni to the people of Karamoja, with a specific focus on the reformed Karamojong warriors, known as Karacunas.
This initiative is part of the broader effort by the Government to support the Karacunas who voluntarily handed over their weapons and embraced peace, contributing to the region’s stabilization.
While presiding over the flag-off ceremony at OPM stores in Namanve this afternoon, Hon. Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, praised President Museveni’s continued commitment to pacifying the Karamoja region. Flanked by his Minister of State, Florence Nambozo, Lokeris announced that the iron sheets would be distributed to the beneficiaries by district leadership in Karamoja.
“This final batch of 11,168 iron sheets is for the reformed Karacunas who were unable to receive theirs during the first phase of distribution,” Minister Lokeris explained.
The distribution of iron sheets is part of a larger government strategy aimed at helping the Karacunas transition from their nomadic lifestyle to more settled forms of living. Each beneficiary will receive 26 pieces of iron sheets to support the construction of permanent houses, a significant step in addressing the region’s housing challenges.
Robert Ssemwogerere Mugarura, the Under Secretary in charge of Pacification and Development at the Office of the Prime Minister, emphasized that the government is committed to transforming the Karamoja sub-region. “This initiative is a crucial part of our broader vision to provide the necessary support for Karamoja to settle down and develop,” Ssemwogerere stated.
Ministers Lokeris and Nambozo also urged the people of Karamoja to prioritize peace, highlighting that lasting development in the region can only be achieved through peace and stability. They pointed out that Karamoja has significant potential to contribute to Uganda’s food security, but only if the region can fully embrace peace.
In total, the OPM has so far distributed 108,720 iron sheets to the Karacunas and other vulnerable groups within the region, marking a major milestone in the government’s efforts to bring about lasting peace and development to Karamoja.
The initiative is seen as a key step towards ensuring the reformed Karacunas and other residents in Karamoja have the necessary resources to build more permanent homes and begin their journey to sustainable development.
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