Museveni reveals secret behind end to cattle rustling in Karamoja

President Yoweri Museveni arriving to addres a rally at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School in Karenga District on Saturday, Ocotber 25, 2025

Karenga, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Saturday shared how his government successfully convinced the Karacunas, young Karamojong warriors, to abandon cattle rustling and embrace peace, productivity, and development across the Karamoja sub-region.

Speaking at a rally held at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School in Karenga District, Museveni described the disarmament of Karamoja as one of Uganda’s toughest but most rewarding peacebuilding missions. He said the effort required patience, dialogue, and changing the mindsets of youth who had long viewed cattle raids as a source of pride.

“It was not easy,” Museveni said. “Many of our people had been misinformed about what is important. Some thought carrying a gun and stealing cows was bravery, but I had to show them that true strength is building a future.”

‘Peace Brings More Rewards Than Violence’

The President praised the efforts of young leaders and women’s groups who helped rehabilitate former rustlers, including those who had crossed into South Sudan to join raiding groups.

“These young women brought me children who had been in cattle rustling,” he recounted. “When I listened to their stories, I was very sad. Many of their friends had been killed. Those who returned were survivors.”

Museveni said he personally interacted with several former warriors and took them on visits to other regions of Uganda to witness firsthand how peace, not violence, had transformed communities.

“When they came back, they told others what they had seen. Slowly, the message spread — that there is a better life beyond cattle raids,” he explained.

Museveni also commended the role of the UPDF, religious leaders, and the women’s movement in Karamoja for standing firm during the disarmament drive, often risking their lives to convince communities to surrender illegal firearms.

He revealed that one of the biggest hurdles was overcoming doubts about disarming when neighbouring communities in Kenya and Ethiopia remained armed.

“Some people said we cannot disarm the Karamojong unless the Turkana, the Ethiopians, and the Somalis are disarmed,” Museveni said. “But I told them, I am not here to disarm the whole of Africa. I will disarm my own citizens, and if the others come to steal, we shall deal with them.”

He said a decisive turning point came when the government dismantled the illegal markets that had been buying stolen cattle and fueling the raids. Once those networks collapsed, many rustlers gave up the trade.

The President noted that the restoration of peace has opened a new chapter for Karamoja — paving the way for roads, electricity, water, and schools that are transforming lives.

“When I first came here in 1980, Karamoja had only about 190,000 people. Many were dying because of raids and disease,” he said. “Now, people are increasing because there is peace. The youth are working, going to school, and building a future.”

He urged residents of Karenga and the wider Karamoja sub-region to remain vigilant, protect the peace, and focus on wealth creation through government programs in education, agriculture, and infrastructure.

“Peace is the foundation of everything,” Museveni emphasized. “Now that we have peace, let us build wealth and transform Karamoja.”