Peace

Uganda

Encouraging peace

Despite having a common ancestry, the Iteso and the Karimojong people of Uganda are divided over the cattle they raise for a living. Cattle are the primary form of wealth among both groups, and it is customary for a young man to make a gift of cattle to the family of a woman he wishes to marry. Karimojong men are expected to prove themselves by stealing cattle from other Karimojong clans or from the Iteso and other groups. During dry seasons, the Karimojong herd their cattle to watering holes in Iteso territory and frequently make cattle raids.

Atim Janet is a 53-year-old Iteso woman who works with MCC to promote peace between the two groups. Janet is married to a Karimojong man, and raiders killed her grandmother and one of her nephews.

Janet was among 20 Iteso and Karimojong volunteers who learned conflict resolution skills in a training taught by Sam Eibu, a Baptist pastor working in the Church of Uganda.

Pastor Eibu works to prevent violence between the Karimojong and the Iteso by encouraging them to get to know each other by sharing wells, raising cattle together and discovering their common history. Your contribution supports Pastor Eibu’s peace work.

If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.