The perennial cross-border conflict between Turkana community and Uganda’s Karamojong is now set to ease following a renewed diplomatic push by Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni.
During a meeting at State House, Nairobi Tuesday, the two leaders agreed to fast-track the signing of a landmark cross-border resource-sharing agreement aimed at resolving decades of tension between the pastoralist communities living along the northern Kenya-Uganda border.
Museveni is on an official visit to Kenya.
Ruto who spoke after close-door meeting with Museveni hailed the agreement as a major step toward long-term peace and cooperation.
“I appreciate that, following consultations, we will shortly be signing the agreement on sharing of resources between the Karamojong and Turkana communities in the northern part of Kenya and Uganda,” Ruto said.
“This will facilitate greater harmony between the communities living in that area.”
The Head of State further thanked President Museveni for considering Kenya’s request regarding citizens currently detained in Uganda.
“On behalf of the people and government of Kenya, and particularly on behalf of Turkana County, I sincerely appreciate your consideration of some of our Kenyans incarcerated in Uganda,” he said.
“We look forward to having a conversation on how this can be resolved, both at the government level and the cultural level.”
The agreement, which is in its final stages, will allow communities from both countries to access shared natural resources, such as water and pasture, under structured arrangements that promote peace and sustainable coexistence.
The Turkana-Karamojong border corridor has historically witnessed armed cattle raids and resource-based clashes with cases of arrest and detention of Turkana pastoralists in Uganda.
The planned agreement is now expected to provide a framework for peaceful coexistence and end years of hostility.
In April 2023, at least 32 Kenyan pastoralists from Urum and Lokiriama villages in Turkana were arrested by Ugandan authorities before being tried, and later sentenced to 20 years in jail.
They were, however, released after a year.
The pastoralists are said to be have been arrested by Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) and the police, in the guise of disarmament operation.
The recurring droughts in the area have severely impacted the availability of pasture and water for their livestock forcing them to cross to Uganda in search of it.
There have been previous attempts by local leaders from Turkana and Karamojong to develop a joint agreement aimed at promoting peaceful sharing of cross-border resources.
In a meeting held in February, 2023 chaired by Uganda’s senior presidential adviser on Defence, Salim Saleh, the leaders acknowledged the need for a formal resource-sharing pact to address rising conflicts and ensure the continued grazing of livestock in Uganda by Turkana pastoralists.
Ruto emphasised that the deal represents more than a diplomatic gesture.
“These agreements signify our joint resolve to turn our cooperation into practical results that will directly uplift the lives of both our peoples,” he added.
The two countries are also working on other bilateral instruments, with Ruto expressing hope that the resource-sharing framework will be concluded before the end of the year.
Ruto and Museveni also discussed regional security, trade, and infrastructure.
