Stories
December 4, 2024 • 3 min read
For years, the Karamoja region in northern Uganda has been haunted by the echoes of gunshots reverberating through its majestic mountain ridges. These sounds of violence have forced residents to abandon farming and other economic activities, living instead in a state of fear.
Armed Karamojong warriors, notorious for their cattle raids, have long been a source of instability not only in Karamoja but also in neighbouring districts. Despite ongoing government efforts to encourage youth to renounce this lifestyle through amnesty programmes, progress has been slow and challenging.
Yet amidst the turmoil, stories of hope and transformation are emerging. One such story is that of Julius Loru, a 22-year-old from Lokeriut village. Once a cattle raider, Julius has traded his gun for a hoe, becoming a beacon of hope in his community
A Turning Point
Julius, who dropped out of school in fifth grade and joined the ranks of the warriors, vividly recalls the moment that changed his life. One day, while listening to Nanach FM, a local radio station, he heard an announcement about AgroMax, a private sector partner with GOAL Uganda’s Young Africa Works: Markets for Youth programme.
The programme, implemented by GOAL in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, provides young people with practical skills in agronomic practices, including crop farming, post-harvest handling, and livestock farming. AgroMax also promotes the formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to encourage saving and reinvestment in profitable ventures.
“I listened carefully as the presenter spoke about learning how to plant food crops and trees. I realized I could build a better life through farming. That day, I decided to abandon raiding and embrace farming,” Julius says.
From Raider to Role Model
Julius’s determination led him to join AgroMax, where he was among the 105 young people who graduated in May as lead agricultural extensionists. The six-month training at AgroMax’s demonstration farm equipped him with the skills to transform his life. He’s now a role model and change agent in his community.
Since graduating, Julius has delivered training for 32 youth who are now planting vegetables like onions, eggplants, cabbages, and Sukuma wiki. Their produce is sold at local markets, generating a sustainable income. The group has also ventured into agroforestry, planting species like neem and acacia alongside fruit trees like avocado, mango, and pawpaw.
A Vision for a Better Future
Today, Julius is not just a farmer; he is a leader and mentor, inspiring his peers to follow his path. “I am now a change agent in my community, teaching my fellow youth to embrace farming as a business,” he proudly shares.
Through programmes like Young Africa Works: Markets for Youth, young people in Karamoja are discovering that there is more to life than cattle raiding. They are learning that with hard work and the right support, they can build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the development of their communities.
Julius has embraced the opportunity. He’s relieved to have turned his back on raiding, “It’s been two years since my last raid. I lost most of friends due to the raids. I will never see many of my friends again, when I think about it, I thank God I started farming. The knowledge I have now has enabled me to look after my family. I realised that farming can help sustain the family.”
As more youth like Julius exchange guns for farming tools, the region is slowly shedding its history of conflict and insecurity. These young farmers are feeding their families and sowing seeds of peace and prosperity for future generations.
