Uganda and Kenya have launched a formal reconciliation roadmap aimed at resolving tensions arising from the 2022 killing of three Ugandan geologists and two UPDF soldiers by suspected Turkana herdsmen in Karamoja.
The roadmap was unveiled following a high-level meeting in Kampala between Vice President Jessica Alupo and a Kenyan presidential delegation led by John Munyes Kiyong’a, which carried a special message from Kenyan President William Ruto.
At the center of the agreement is the adoption of the “Okukaraba” cultural justice framework, which both countries agreed to use as a mechanism for reconciliation, compensation, and healing for the bereaved families instead of pursuing conventional judicial proceedings.
According to Vice President Alupo, the move reflects Kenya’s political will to address the tragedy and rebuild relations between the two neighboring nations.
“On behalf of H.E. the President and the Government of Uganda, I wish to sincerely thank President Ruto and the Government of Kenya for taking the courageous and principled step of formally engaging Uganda through this high-level diplomatic initiative,” Alupo said.
She noted that President Ruto’s decision to dispatch a special envoy carrying a personal message to President Yoweri Museveni underscored Kenya’s commitment to mending relations strained by the killings.
Alupo also commended Kenya for actions already taken, including the reported neutralization of those responsible by Kenyan security forces, acceptance of the Okukaraba blood settlement framework proposed by President Museveni, and commitment to compensating the affected families.
“These are not words — these are actions, and Uganda takes note of them with gratitude,” she said.
The Vice President described the 2022 killings as a painful tragedy that deeply affected the victims’ families, Uganda’s scientific community, and security forces, while also straining relations between the two countries.
“It also strained relations between two brotherly nations that share so much. Today marks the beginning of the process of healing — and we welcome that with open arms,” she added.
Alupo emphasized that the reconciliation process goes beyond legal redress, describing the Okukaraba framework as a recognized cultural mechanism for justice, healing, and restoration of social harmony.
She directed technical teams from both governments to begin immediate consultations on compensation mechanisms, timelines, and preparations for a formal reconciliation ceremony.
“Time is of the essence, and the families who have waited four years deserve to see this resolved,” Alupo said.
Uganda also reiterated its commitment to finalizing a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding and Resource Sharing Agreement with Kenya, initially agreed upon in 2024 and acknowledged during President Museveni’s state visit to Nairobi in July 2025.
The agreement is expected to provide a long-term framework for managing the Karamoja–Turkana border corridor, strengthening regional security, cross-border trade, and peaceful resource sharing.
As part of the roadmap, Uganda’s technical team was directed to work with Kenyan counterparts to develop a mutually agreed compensation formula for the families of the three geologists and two UPDF soldiers, guided by legal advice from the Attorney General and consultations with affected families.
The teams will also address outstanding issues affecting bilateral relations, community security, and border cooperation before submitting recommendations to both Heads of State within a short timeframe.
