The Karamojong communities in the Ateker region of Uganda are primarily pastoralists who share deep cultural ties with their counterparts in South Sudan and Kenya. In 2024, district and county leaders, as well as local leaders of these three countries, signed the Ateker Resolution committing to foster peaceful co-existence, strengthen cultural ties, and address local challenges through continued dialogue and awareness creation.
The leaders emphasised the importance of using traditional and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that leverage the shared heritage of the communities. Moreover, they proposed the creation of joint resource-sharing agreements. Despite these commitments, the region continues to face challenges. These include porous borders, widespread small arms, youth unemployment, limited access to education, especially for girls, and low financial infrastructure. Cultural norms also restrict women’s participation in decision-making and public life.
Building on the momentum of the 2023 Peace Caravan and Benchmarking Tour and the 2024 Ateker Resolutions, Uganda’s Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA) held a technical meeting with Ateker leaders of Uganda in Moroto in May 2025. The meeting consisted of dialogues that resulted in the development of a comprehensive roadmap for Uganda’s implementation of the 2024 Ateker Resolutions to foster peace and economic development in the Ateker region. Further, draft action plans were developed to be considered for mainstreaming into Uganda’s policy frameworks for further implementation.
On behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Andrew Musiime, the Commissioner for Political Affairs at MEACA-Uganda, indicated that the issues raised at the high-level meeting of the Ateker leaders have now taken centre stage within the EAC Council of Ministers, where strategies are actively being discussed to address the unique challenges and opportunities of the region. As a Ministry, there is a firm commitment to translating words into actions.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary General of the East African Community Secretariat, Mr Leonard Ngeleja, Senior Technical Specialist, extended appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Uganda for its unwavering commitment to advancing peace and security in the region. He appreciated the Ateker community leaders and representatives from the Turkana, Toposa, Didinga, and Karimojong communities for their resilience and commitment to peace and encouraged them to engage in open and honest dialogue, grounded in local realities and guided by a spirit of partnership. He affirmed the EAC Secretariat’s full support and commitment to ensuring that the resolutions from the Ateker Peace Caravan are transformed into tangible outcomes that enhance livelihoods, strengthen unity, and secure lasting peace across the region.
Representing the Support to the African Union Border Programme (GIZ-AUBP), Ms Emily Mucheru acknowledged the collaborative journey that began with the Peace Caravan in 2023 and continued during the Ateker High-Level Leaders’ Meeting held in Moroto. She commended the Government of Uganda’s proactive steps in developing an action plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation framework to guide the implementation of their commitments. She also highlighted GIZ’s ongoing support for peacebuilding efforts in the Karamoja region, particularly through the GIZ-SCIDA and GIZ-Civil Peace Service projects. These initiatives have supported pastoralists and agro-pastoralists along the Kenya-Uganda border through participatory rangeland management and the provision of job skills training for selected Kenyan and Ugandan youth in collaboration with local partners. Additionally, the projects have equipped civil society actors with alternative dispute resolution skills and tools to address natural resource-based conflicts, including disputes related to land, mining, cattle rustling, and protected areas.
Find more information on GIZ-AUBP here.