UPDF chiefs vow to bolster security in Amudat, Sebei sub-region

During the annual long dry seasons, the Pokot pastoralist community of Amudat district faces harsh dry weather conditions which push them to seek pasture and water from the neighboring districts, from where they become troublesome to their hosts as several isolated cases have been reported.

On this background, top commanders of joint security forces, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and District Chairpersons of Amudat, Kween, and Bukwo convened security committee and community engagement meetings at Alalamu UPDF detach and Lokales trading center respectively in Amudat district.

The Third Division Commander Maj. Gen. Don William Nabasa, who chaired the meeting, said: “Despite public outcry occasioned by isolated incidences, the UPDF being national in character and working together with other security agencies, remains committed in execution of its mandate to enable peace prevail for socio-economic transformation.”

The elected leaders and district officials on either side recounted that the two tribes (Pokots and Sabiny) are historically and culturally one and belong to the Kalegin community who share and practice a lot in common.

Soi County MP Kisos Chemaswet stressed that the Pokots herdsmen had on previous occasions been grazing their animals in the neighboring Sebei districts of Kween and Bukwo but disrespected warm welcome by stealing cows, fuelling land disputes and causing untold suffering.

On their part, leaders of Amudat led by Amudat County MP Mika Lolem noted that the two brotherhood communities are interdependent for trade and other forms of livelihood.

The Resident District Commissioner for Bukwo Ajilong Bessie Modestar lauded the UPDF for beefing up deployments to enhance security in the border areas of Bukwo in the last six months.

Gen. Nabasa's deputy, Brig. Gen. Felix Busizoori, re-echoed on the need for co-existence amongst the two neighboring communities (Pokot and Sabiny), adding that each other’s interests (grazing versus crop growing) should not overshadow one another as both aim to satisfy a common cause.