Uganda military sets tough conditions for Kenyan herders to graze in Karamoja

A herder leads livestock across the Kainuk bridge in Turkana South. [File, Standard]

The Uganda government has allowed drought-affected Turkana herders to cross into Uganda's Karamoja sub-region under strict security conditions.

The herders, who cross with their livestock in search of water and grazing land, must leave all firearms behind in Kenya before crossing the border.

Community kraal leaders are required to formally guarantee that no armed groups will migrate to destabilise local peace.

Kotido Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Charles Ichogor said that the pastoralists would be confined to designated grazing zones supervised by Ugandan authorities to maintain order and security.

Ichogor noted that herders must use approved transhumance routes, graze only within designated corridors, respect Ugandan laws and customs, avoid carrying firearms, refrain from hunting wildlife, and not establish permanent settlements.

He emphasized that regulating livestock movements would help security agencies monitor pastoralists and respond swiftly to criminal activities, while also preventing conflicts with host communities.

"We shall manage them within controlled zones. These people—the Turkana, Jie, Karamoja, Matheniko and Bokora—share the same Ateker heritage, language and culture. We cannot allow them to die because of drought. They should coexist peacefully and share resources responsibly," Ichogor said.

The Resident District Commissioner commended the Kenyan government for initiating disarmament under the Security Operation Group (SOG), saying that this would improve regional stability by reducing illegal firearm circulation, similar to efforts already undertaken in Uganda.

"Kenya and Uganda enjoy cordial relations, and we commend Kenya for starting the disarmament exercise. On our part, we will allow the pastoralists temporary access to water and pasture because they are part of our community. This arrangement is temporary while we wait for the formal signing of the Resource Sharing Agreement next month," he said.

The temporary grazing agreement aims to alleviate pressure on families affected by drought while establishing a structured and peaceful framework for sharing natural resources between Kenya and Uganda.

This initiative is part of the measures authorities are implementing to balance humanitarian needs with regional security.

The herders, mainly from Turkana West and Loima sub-counties, moved into Kaabong and Kotido districts after a prolonged drought devastated grazing lands and water sources in Northern Kenya, risking the death of thousands of livestock.

The worsening humanitarian crisis prompted intervention by the Kenyan government and peace partners, including the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Lokado, who engaged Ugandan authorities to secure temporary grazing rights for the affected pastoralists.

Kenya's Special Envoy for Peace in the Ateker Region, John Munyes, led a high-level delegation to Moroto, Kotido, and Kaabong districts, meeting Ugandan officials and senior Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) officers to negotiate access to pasture and water for the drought-stricken herders.

During the meeting, Munyes appealed to Uganda to grant temporary grazing rights, noting that the severe impacts of climate change had depleted water sources and pasture on the Kenyan side of the border, forcing desperate pastoralists to seek refuge in neighbouring Uganda.

"The drought has hit our pastoralists very hard. Without access to water and pasture, thousands of livestock are likely to perish. We appeal to our brothers in Uganda to allow our herders temporary access to these resources as we finalise the Resource Sharing Agreement to be signed by the two Heads of State next month," Munyes said.

Munyes explained that the ongoing dialogue reflects broader efforts by both governments to strengthen cross-border peace, improve climate resilience, and promote sustainable management of shared natural resources along the Kenya-Uganda border.