By Okidi Patrick               Napak RDC Milton Odongo Urges Border Communities to Respect Laws as Cross-Border Peace Dialogue Concludes
NAPAK, UGANDA – November 23, 2025 – The District Commissioner of Napak, Milton Odongo, has issued a strong appeal to pastoralist communities bordering Uganda to adhere to international border laws, particularly concerning the importation of firearms. This call came as the cross-border peace (Amani) dialogue meeting, held under the theme “Youth and Pastoralism: Advancing Youth Voices for Peace, Climate Justice and Resilience,” concluded at Kobebe Dam in Moroto, Karamoja.
Addressing delegates, which included representatives from the Turkana and Masai communities of Kenya, the Samburu of Tanzania, the Topos of South Sudan, and the Karamojong youth of Uganda, RDC Odongo emphasized the importance of respecting Uganda’s sovereignty. He specifically urged these communities to refrain from entering Uganda with firearms while bringing their livestock in for grazing and watering.
The dialogue meeting, a continuation of peaceful resource-sharing initiatives that began in 2019 at Kobebe Dam with the participation of the Presidents of Uganda and Kenya, aimed to foster understanding and cooperation among transhumant populations.
In addition to the border law appeal, RDC Odongo called on the grazing communities to cease the illegal practice of hunting and poaching within the protected Matheniko Game Reserve, noting that such activities were often carried out at night using torches. He further advised the communities to prioritize sending their children to school, suggesting this as a critical step towards eradicating cattle theft and raids.
Reassuring the attendees of the Ugandan government’s commitment to their safety and security, Odongo stated, “The government of Uganda will protect your lives and animals. There is peace in Uganda.” The RDC’s remarks underscored the ongoing efforts to maintain stability and promote harmonious coexistence among the diverse pastoralist groups in the region.
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