OROM – KITGUM: The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has called for government’s urgent attention to address the numerous security issues affecting the people of Acholi region.
Archbishop Kaziimba, who concluded his official pastoral visit to the Diocese of Kitgum today with a service at St. Stephen’s Orom Church of Uganda in Chua Archdeaconry, expressed his concern about the issues raised by Christians in the districts of Agago, Lamwo, Pader, and Kitgum. According to him, these issues deserve immediate attention.
“The issues of elephants straying from Kidepo National Park, destroying people’s crops and endangering their lives, Karamojongs raiding Acholi’s cattle and killing people, deforestation by charcoal burners, the Apaa land conflict between the Madi and Acholi, and attacks by South Sudanese must be addressed and resolved,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
In his report, Mr. Otto Peter, the Chairperson of Omiya Anyima West Subcounty, said that his subcounty is one of the eight invaded by Karamojong cattle raiders. Approximately 1,200 households were directly or indirectly affected, experiencing brutality, loss of cattle, goats, poultry, foodstuffs, agricultural crops, financial losses, and irregular attendance of pupils, especially in the affected areas.
Mr. Toodera Johnson Acellam, the LC3 Chairperson of Orom Subcounty, reported that in his subcounty, 14 people have been killed, 18 severely injured, 17 houses burnt, and properties stolen. In the years 2022 and 2023, 520 cattle, 2,564 goats, and 130 sheep were stolen.
In response, Archbishop Kaziimba pledged to continue advocating and engaging key duty bearers, especially the President of Uganda, to find a lasting solution.
He also promised to collaborate with Archbishop Justin Mbadi of South Sudan to address the Sudanese attacks and advocate for peaceful coexistence.
Additionally, he committed to working with Bishops of Karamoja and North Karamoja and Bishops from affected Dioceses to ensure a unified fight against cattle rustling.
Earlier in the day, Archbishop Kaziimba paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Okello Oryem, the Minister of State for International Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and offered prayers at the mausoleum of H.E. Tito Okello Lutwa, Hon. Oryem’s father and former President of Uganda.
During his visit, he made courtesy prayer visits to Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District, Te-Kworo Foundation in Pader District, YY Okot Memorial College in Kitgum, and the home of the Late Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech in Pader District where he laid the foundation stone for the construction of St. Paul’s Church of Uganda in Gen. Lokech’s honor.
Bishop Wilson Kitara of the Diocese of Kitgum expressed his immense happiness that hundreds of people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour during the Archbishop’s visit.
By Dailystarnews