Kenyan herders hoping to find greener pastures across the border have been handed tough new conditions by Uganda’s military. The message is clear: no guns, no chaos, and full cooperation — or no grazing.
The new rules were announced by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which is overseeing security in the northeastern region of Karamoja.
The area has struggled with cattle rustling and armed violence in the past, but authorities say peace has slowly returned after a long disarmament exercise.
Now, with drought biting hard in Turkana County, many Kenyan pastoralists are looking to Karamoja for water and pasture. But Uganda is not opening its gates freely.
According to UPDF officials, Turkana herders will only be allowed into Karamoja if they leave all firearms behind in Kenya.
Community leaders must also give firm guarantees that no armed individuals will cross the border disguised as herders. The military says these measures are necessary to protect the fragile calm that has been restored in the region.
The announcement came during a public event where more than 100 illegal guns were destroyed as part of ongoing efforts to keep Karamoja stable.
Ugandan authorities say they do not want a return to the days when armed groups roamed freely, leading to deadly clashes and cattle raids.
Cross-border grazing is not new. For years, pastoralist communities along the Kenya–Uganda border have moved with their livestock in search of pasture during dry seasons.
However, tensions have flared before, especially after security incidents that raised concerns about armed movement between the two countries.
Ugandan officials insist that herders who follow the rules will be welcomed.
Some districts within Karamoja may be opened for controlled grazing if agreements are respected. But security forces warn they will act firmly against anyone who violates the conditions.
For Turkana families watching their animals weaken under the harsh sun, the stakes are high.
Livestock are not just animals — they are wealth, food, and survival.
As drought tightens its grip, cooperation between the two countries will be key. For now, Uganda’s stand sends a strong signal: peace comes first, even in times of hardship.
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