As the number of women and children leaving Karamoja for urban areas continues to rise, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is calling for increased protections for their rights.
During a training session on October 2, 2024, in Moroto, UHRC officials emphasized the need for stakeholders to adopt a human rights-based approach to address the challenges these vulnerable migrants face.
Many of these individuals are fleeing poverty, food insecurity, cattle raids, and escalating gun violence in their region.
Paul Piramoe, the Regional Human Rights Officer for Karamoja, warned that human traffickers are taking advantage of the situation, preying on women and children with false promises of employment. He pointed out that traffickers often use local radio and social media platforms to entice their victims, who frequently find themselves exploited in streets, bars, and brothels. “Traffickers will go to great lengths to ensnare the vulnerable,” Piramoe stressed.
Susan Amagoro, an Investigations Officer at UHRC, highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of trafficking victims, ensuring they have access to fair trials, protection from torture, and freedom from inhumane treatment. “As many Karamojong children migrate to urban centers like Kampala, we must ensure they are not subjected to exploitation or abuse,” she stated.
The situation in Karamoja has been further complicated by an influx of Turkana pastoralists from neighboring Kenya, contributing to an increase in firearms and cattle raids in the area. In May 2023, President Museveni issued an executive order banning Turkana from entering Karamoja until specific demands are met.
Vicky Gloria Auma, a Legal Officer with UHRC, called for better documentation of migrants, pointing out that the porous borders of Karamoja with Kenya and South Sudan allow for unchecked migration. “Without proper documentation, it is challenging for the government and development partners to monitor the activities of pastoralists from neighboring countries,” she cautioned.
Moroto’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Justin Tuko, echoed these concerns, stating that the government is actively working to address the root causes of migration. He noted that initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) are being implemented to enhance living conditions in Karamoja and to reduce the outflow of Karamojong women and children to urban areas.
