By KT Reporter
The preparations are nearing completion for the 9th edition of the Karamoja cultural festival in Nakapiripirit district.
The annual event, which will be held next month, is celebrated rotationally across all nine districts in the region. It aims to promote cultural diversity, peaceful coexistence, and tourism for sustainable development.
This year’s edition was initially supposed to be from 22nd to 27th, but was changed to 8th to 13th at Old Nakapiripirit Primary School.
The event attracts different dignitaries, local leaders, elders, youth, tourism companies, various organisations and foreign visitors, especially from countries such as Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia and others.
The festival will consist of cultural showcasing traditions and heritage, through dances, singing, and peace dialogues.
Pius Loupa, the regional coordinator for Karamoja Cultural Events, said that the preparations are in high gear to ensure that the event is colorfully celebrated.
Loupa noted that they have already mobilised the resources, and so far, 13 bulls have been secured to be slaughtered during the festival. He explained that each district shall have one bull, and the joint security forces will also take one, while two bulls are secured for the foreign visitors, especially from Kenya and South Sudan.
Loupa noted that there will also be showcasing of the traditional foodstuffs from the different clusters in the Karamoja sub-region.
The business community in Nakapiripirit expressed their gratitude for the event, stating that they anticipate a significant economic boost due to the influx of festival goers.
Deborah Lokure, one of the businesswomen, explained that the business has been performing poorly, and this is the only opportunity for them to make some gains in sales.
Julius Sagal, a farmer in Nakapiripirit town council, said that the event has come at a time when they are experiencing bumper harvests for maize and beans.
Sagal noted that the event shall also be entertaining and educational on the Karamojong culture and remind them of what their ancestors used to live. He said that besides promoting peace among the Ateker speakers, the event shall also help them to boost the economy across different sectors.
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