Lokiriama 19th October 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Four individuals were honored for their outstanding contributions to peacebuilding at the 51st Lokiriama Peace Accord.

The honorees included Collins Ekiru, village administrator of Kapelibok; Senior Chief Sarah Lochodo of Kainuk Location; Chief Sammy Losuban Tioko of Lokiriama Location; and veteran peace mediator Ichor Imana.

The four were awarded their certificates and ceremonial ribbons by Uganda’s Minister of Karamoja Affairs, Peter Lokeris. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai and other dignitaries from across the Ateker communities were also present.

The recognition comes as part of a peace initiative spearheaded by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and ACT in the Ateker region, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark under DANIDA.

Veteran peace mediator Ichor Imana attributed the recognition to decades of persistent peace-building efforts. “This honor reflects years of brokering peace deals and sharing strategies to strengthen harmony,” he said.

Senior Chief Sarah Lochodo of Kainuk Location recalled the challenges she faced as a woman leader in a conflict-prone area. “I remember the interview in 2002, where I was asked how I, as a woman, would manage Kainuk. My answer was simple: through peace and dialogue,” she shared.

Chief Sammy Losuban Tioko, who also chairs the Ateker Chiefs and LC3s Forum, expressed gratitude for the recognition.

Raphael Locham, the program manager for the Danish Refugee Council, highlighted the role the four awardees have played in facilitating local and cross-border peace interventions.

“Just like Lokiriama itself, which has stood as a symbol of resilience for over half a century, these awardees have shown unwavering commitment to peace,” Locham said.