President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of the Karamoja subregion to embrace commercial agriculture to create household wealth.
The President made the remarks on September 7, 2024, while presiding over the closure of the ninth edition of the Karamoja Cultural Festival, which commenced on September 2, at the Napeikori grounds in Karenga district. The festival aimed at celebrating Karimojong culture together with the Ateker cluster tribes from Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Museveni remarked that despite the establishment of industries in the Karamoja region, like the cement factory, the industries cannot employ and give wealth to all the people in Karamoja.
He urged the locals to take on commercial agriculture since, according to the president, it is a broad-based way of wealth creation.
“If you start commercializing agriculture, the people who will come to work in the factory will buy fruits, milk, and meat from you,” Museveni said.
He encouraged the Karimojongs to explore the idea of planting fruits like grapes, which can even survive in dry areas, giving an example of Israel, which receives less rain compared to the Karamoja region.
President Museveni highlighted the government’s efforts directed towards improving the areas’ peace and security, access to water, and education, which will help the region to develop as a whole.
On her side, the Minister of State for ethics and integrity, Rose Lilly Akello, thanked the President for the army deployment, which has helped to restore peace in the region.
She also commended the president’s decision to fence off Kidepo Valley National Park, noting that once complete, it will enable the locals to practice agriculture and be able to earn from their harvest.
The LCV Chairperson, Karenga district, Lochaale Felix Mark, thanked the President for the upcoming development projects in the district, like the construction of an international airport in Kidepo Valley National Park, the tarmacing of the Kitgum-Kerenga road, and the on-going PDM program where over 4116 people in the district have already benefited.
The closing ceremony was also graced by other high-ranking authorities, including Peter Lokeris, Minister for Karamoja Affairs; Florence Nomboozo, Minister of State for gender and culture peace; Mutuuzo; Balaam Barugahara, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs; Minister of State for Tourism Martin Mugarra Bahinduka; 26 members of Parliament from Karamoja region; governor Turkana County in Kenya; and a Member of Parliament from South Sudan, among other local leaders.
The Karamoja Cultural Festival is an annual event held in the Karamoja region to celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, and heritage of the various Ateker tribes in the region, such as the Napore, Bokora, Pokot, Jie, and Dodoth. The festival features traditional music, dance, crafts, and dialogues, providing an opportunity for local communities to showcase their cultural practices and for visitors to learn about and experience the rich cultural tapestry of Karamoja. The tenth edition of the event will be held in Nakapiripirit district.
