Under the golden morning sun of Nakapiripirit, herds of cattle grazed peacefully near the boundaries of Pian Upe Game Reserve, a scene that perfectly framed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s message to the people of Karamoja. The President had come not only to rally support for the NRM but also to calm the fears of pastoralists worried about losing their grazing lands.
Addressing a large crowd gathered for his campaign rallies in Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk Districts on Wednesday, Museveni announced that herders would continue grazing their livestock in the Pian Upe Game Reserve as government consultations continue to seek a lasting solution to the long-standing conflict between herders and conservation authorities.
“I was told that UWA stopped you from grazing in Pian Upe. I said, no, let them continue grazing as we discuss and find a permanent solution,” Museveni said, drawing applause. “You should graze until we meet with your elders and agree on the correct way forward.”
The President emphasized that pastoralism and tourism can coexist if managed wisely. He noted that Karamoja’s wide grasslands are an asset that can sustain both livelihoods and wildlife without conflict.
“Tourism is also good for our area here,” he said. “We can discuss all this; it should not be a point of conflict.”
Museveni directed his team to organize a meeting with elders from surrounding districts, community leaders, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the army to jointly decide on a plan that balances environmental protection with the socio-economic needs of local herders.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to improving livelihoods in Karamoja through peace, development, wealth creation, and job opportunities, values he described as the foundation of the NRM’s 40-year journey.
“We have brought peace and development,” he said. “Now we must ensure that our people have wealth (Abaru) and jobs (Etich). That is how we will truly transform Karamoja.”
The Pian Upe Game Reserve, one of Uganda’s largest protected areas, has for decades been at the center of tension between wildlife conservation and community survival. Local herders say grazing restrictions threaten their pastoral way of life, while conservationists caution against overgrazing and habitat destruction. Museveni’s directive offers temporary relief to the herders and signals the government’s intent to find a balanced and lasting solution.
Earlier, First Lady Maama Janet Museveni praised the Karamojong for their hospitality and resilience, urging them to safeguard the peace brought by the NRM government.
“Thank you for receiving us with the traditional warmth and love of the Karamojong people that I cherish so much,” she said. “You know very well that the government of NRM is your government because God has used it to bring peace to Karamoja, peace that is now enjoyed by the whole of Uganda.”
She recalled the difficult years when Karamoja relied on food aid and commended the region’s progress toward food security and self-reliance.
“I am happy that now you are producing food and even keeping surplus in your granaries. The leap that NRM is striving for now will ensure that the Karamojong build better homes for their families, so that our children no longer have to live in grass-thatched houses,” she said.
Both leaders emphasized that Karamoja’s future depends on unity, responsible land use, and continued investment in development projects such as education, water, and irrigation schemes. Museveni pointed to ongoing projects like valley tanks, schools, and health facilities in Nakapiripirit as proof of the NRM’s steady progress.
“Peace in Karamoja was not easy to achieve,” he said. “Some once believed guns were the solution, but I assured our people that the government would defend them, and we have fulfilled that promise.”
With his message resonating across the plains of Karamoja, Museveni left the herders with renewed assurance that their land, livestock, and livelihoods remain central to Uganda’s development story.