A GIANT STRUGGLES

Uganda is known in the international media for having the most ‘dictatorial’ president- Idi Amin, for the civil strife in the north and increased poverty in upcountry regions.

Little is known or spoken about the eastern region, 500 km east of the capital, Kampala. This is Teso region. This area was popularly known for it is hard working and humble people and being a cattle corridor in Uganda.

This region has gone through many changes. The region since time immemorial has been suffering from chronic cattle raids exerted by militant neighbors. In the early 1960s, it was known for it is many cattle and being the greatest producer of cotton in East Africa. This came to a stand still in the mid 1980s, when the cattle raids intensified and pushed many people here to near braking point of poverty, famine and disease. Life has never been the same again here.

The area was further worsened when the local people attempted to raise arms against the new government in power led by Yoweri Museveni in the 1990s. This period was the worst in the history of Teso. Famine and lose of life pushed Uganda’s known food basket grower to a quigmire.

Local people suffered. Education systems broke down and diseases like HIV/AIDS become prevalent.

For people who have been here in 1986, 1994 and 2007 will tell three things in common. In 1986 many people lost their only livelihood (cattle) to cattle rustlers and were left at the mercy of misery. Analysts keep on wondering if the economy of Teso was left to strife as it been by then, the people of Teso would be far away by now.

In 1994, people faced starvation with some leaders challenging local people to produce evidence of dead bodies to prove that famine was looming in the region.As a matter of fact, the famine was so great that it forced people to eat potatoes’ pilings and lizards. Emaciated women with pale faces carrying equally mulnourished children was a common sight country side.

Then in 2007, the floods came and swept across the country. It destroyed roads, crops and killed people. It called for government intervention in order to address the anomaly. Speeches were made, pledges recited eloquently and aray of hope was painted on people's mind. All passed in thin air.

These are some striking events. However to not to forget other events and probably the severe one was in June 2003, when Joseph Kony and his bandits tried to destabilize Teso region. With the support of local leaders, Kony was summarily stopped from advancing to Teso region.

Unfortunately, historians are not tracing the primary fall of Kony to that point. The historians should be reminded that, what pushed Kony to negotiations was the greatest onslaught put on his troops by the people of Teso. No credit has been given to Teso for this gallant achievement.

Despite all those challenges, Iteso people known for their hard work are struggling to meet their livelihood in a hard way.The region has peaceful and humble people always under attack by militan neigbours. Some associations of Iteso in Western cities like London are discussing on how to reawaken the sleeping giant and restore the lost glory of the region. These are individuals and sons of Teso living Europe, who want to bring life to their cradle land.

The only hope that, the region has is education. Known of producing the best nuclear and medical professors in the recent times, this is now but alas.It is becoming over thirty years since Teso produced any person with reputable PHD degree. In some sub counties, there are hardly any unviersity graduates. People here are investing in education of their children as the only hope of the future.

Government time and time again has been saying the region is NOT neglected or marginalized in anyway. It has also come out clearly that, it did not have a hand in the alleged plundering the wealth of people in Teso in the recent past. Of course, these are allegations that are advanced by locals here but it is not publicly spoken.

To demonstrate it is commitment in reviving the economy of Teso region, Government has brought all the necessary projects like Northern Uganda social Action Fund, primary health care, safe and clean water for all, primary education and National Agricultural Advisory Services nearer to the people.

For example, Local communities are asked to form groups so as to benefit from government programmes. This is all coined in President Museveni's slogan of WEALTH FOR ALL.

Government is also disarming militant neighbors terrorizing Teso.

Analysts say the region will take long to revive it is lost glory. They argue that, the Members of parliament elected to represent people’s views are suffering from identity crisis. Analysts argue that MPs are busy making money for their cronies and henchmen at the expense of the local community.

Legislators especially on the opposition side have vehemently denied these allegations saying their work is to legislate and check excesses of government in power.

















Uganda’s coverage of the northern war Kony killings and increased starvation is one of the central issues dominate international media about Uganda.
In one remote of the country is Teso region most commonly known ever since colonialism for its traditional cattle and cotton growing is now in slumber?

The region was known as the basket of food for Uganda was plugged near to a comma in the mid 1980s when the people’s livelihood was destated by cattle rustling.
Since then, the region ahs