Turkana pastoralists hand two Ugandan families 120 cows as compensation

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Turkana pastoralists have handed two Karamojong families compensation of 120 cows for killing two people in Orum village, Turkana County.

In December 2023, unknown Turkana warriors shot dead two people from Moroto district who had been doing business on the Turkana side. The deceased identified as Lokut Peikan and Achia Apaitangalem all residents of Nadunget Sub County were selling Tobacco and animal drugs.

After the attack, the relatives of the deceased mobilized the warriors and raided 319 cows from the kraal of Turkana pastoralists living in Lotisan Sub County.

The raid prompted the Turkana to cross to Turkana County where the two people were allegedly killed, and then grabbed 120 cows that were stolen from relatives of the suspected killers.

However, the district security committee intercepted all the cows from both communities and took them to the holding ground in Nadunget Sub County where they distributed them on Thursday after negotiations.

John Robert Adupa, the LCIII Chairperson of Lotisan Sub County said it was also realised that out of the 319 cows taken from the Turukana, 85 cows were missing.

Adupa revealed after several discussions between the two communities, the Turkana have accepted to offer the 120 cows as compensation.

He added that they are now working with security to recover the missing cows and return them to the owners for peaceful coexistence.

Simon Peter Lotem, the LCIII Chairperson of Nadunget Sub County said that they have tasked the people who raided the kraal to look for the missing cows or else face arrest.

Justin Tuko, the Moroto Deputy Resident District Commissioner said that they have launched investigations into the matter.  Tuko noted that one of the relatives of the deceased admitted to slaughtering the 20 cows for the mourners.

Tuko revealed they are hunting for the suspects and charge them for cattle theft and destabilizing the peace between the two pastoral communities of Karamojong and Turkana.

Jeremiah Lomorukai, the Turkana County Governor applauded the two communities for addressing their matter amicably describing it as reconciliation.

Lomorukai noted that he is also trying to ensure how best they can handle compensating the families of geologists who were killed in Moroto by suspected Turkana warriors.

He said that they want to create a peaceful environment where the two Ateker communities can co-exist together in harmony.

***

URN