By Kasline Gladys Lakareber
The theme for 2022 karamoja cultural event is majorly to restore peace in the region and with neighbors and all eyes are focused on elders to guide youth on how to bring peace in the society.
Karamoja Elders Association was formed by various elders across the Karamoja region from the 9 district in the region.
Youth have been for along time blamed to cause insecurity within the region and with neighbors of karamoja and elders are now tasked to guide the youth and through Elders Association.
Mr. Micheal Angaun Aka Original Lopeta is a musician who helped to bring back some raiders back home through music and he narrated how he was misled by his own father.
Angaun said before realizing his talent in music he was once in the bush and was commander of raiders in Napak district.
He expressed that his own father failed to educate him but instead he bought for him gun to be in the bush for raiding animals from Teso, Acholi and Langi people.
He explain that it was for some good years that he was doing things that can not develop him however after realizing his talent in music he had to leave gun and started singing peace songs to change the mindset of other raiders to come back home.
He appealed to Elders Association to work hard in bringing peace.
Mr. Simon Peter Nangiro chairperson karamoja Elders Association applauded World Food program for giving them energy by giving one bull so that they should have enough energy to run peace dialogue well as one of the program in karamoja Cultural event which took place today, 2nd September 2022.
During his briefing with fellow elders he encouraged them to move as one team so that they should bring change since all eyes are on them.
Nangiro also said Elders should also rise the issues of industrialization in karamoja region to enhance development and improve standard of living of karamonjones.
Mr. Robert Ongom who works with world Food program in Business support for Agriculture as market support revealed that they have given one bull which is Worthy 1.2 millions uganda shillings to Elders Association to help them have enough energy to participate in peace dialogue to restore peace in the region and with the neighboring districts.
He said that it’s easy for them to implement their programs in the communities through the elders.
Meanwhile Noman Ociro Labuwo county Member of Parliament Abim district was so happy for world Food program to participate in the 7th Edition of karamoja Cultural event of which they are showcasing things that will bring impact to the community and the region at large.
He said empowering community which is highly done by world Food program since the out break of hunger in the region is a great work done of saving lives.
He agreed to join hands together with other leaders in implementing any programs of world Food program to fight food insecurity in the region.
Insecurity still remain the major issues in karamoja region.