Along the tough terrains and often unforgiving borderlands between Kenya and Uganda, where communities have endured generations of mistrust and conflict, the seeds of peace were far from easy to imagine. For years, local leaders’ chiefs on the Kenyan side and LCIII representatives in Uganda lived in a state of uneasy coexistence, their roles largely defined by isolation and division. Communication was non-existent, and any interaction was overshadowed by deep-seated suspicion and hostility.
How we moved from discord to dialogue, from isolation to cooperation, and from division to unity. It is a story of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of collaboration.
Please allow me to me take you back to where it all began. My name is Sammy Losuban, and I am the Chief of Lokiriama Location, situated in Lokiriama Sub-County. Additionally, I serve as the Chairperson of the Ateker Cross-Border Chiefs and LCIII Forum, a unique platform bringing together chiefs from Lokiriama Sub-County in Kenya, North Pokot, and the LCIII representatives from Moroto in Uganda.
The forum, established in 2015, was born out of necessity under the Peace III program, funded by USAID and implemented by APaD. Before its creation, chiefs and LCIII representatives rarely interacted. Tensions were high, relationships strained, and there was a lack of mutual cooperation. Communities suffered as leaders failed to work collaboratively to foster peace or facilitate coexistence.
Recognizing this gap, the Ateker Cross-Border Chiefs and LCIII Forum was formed to improve early warning and early response mechanisms along the borders of Kenya, Uganda, and North Pokot. It was envisioned as a peace structure to break barriers, mend relationships, and create avenues for dialogue and collaboration. Since then, the forum has achieved remarkable milestones.
One of the forum’s early successes was facilitating the resettlement of displaced communities. For instance, in areas like Loya, where insecurity had forced people to relocate to Lorengippi, the forum played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and cooperation. Through concerted efforts, the chiefs encouraged peaceful coexistence, enabling displaced families to return home.
Another notable achievement is the recovery of livestock stolen during raids. By fostering coordination among leaders and communities, the forum has facilitated the return of countless animals to their rightful owners, restoring hope and trust.
Regular meetings and dialogue sessions between chiefs and LCIII members have strengthened relationships and addressed critical community issues. Beyond peacebuilding, the forum has also supported communities in natural resource management. Through resource-sharing agreements and equitable distribution, the forum has helped their communities create resolutions that foster unity and sustainable use of shared resources.
A transformative focus of the forum has been educating communities on diversifying livelihoods beyond traditional pastoralism. These efforts have fuelled the growth of cross-border trade in the region. Today, boda boda riders and traders freely traverse borders to places like Moroto, Alale, North Pokot, and Lorengippi, engaging in vibrant economic activities. These exchanges have significantly encouraged peaceful coexistence among communities
Despite its successes, the forum faces significant challenges. The phase-out of the project funding APaD, which has been instrumental in bringing the forum together, threatens its sustainability. Without financial support, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain the forum’s activities and the momentum it has built over the years.
However, recent support from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and APaD, through the Danida-funded Connecting Cross-Border Communities for sustainable peace in the Karamoja region Project, has revived the forum. This initiative has enabled us to continue convening, discussing pressing issues, and sharing updates as a united front.
As we look ahead, sustained support is crucial to ensure the forum’s long-term impact. The Ateker Cross-Border Chiefs and LCIII Forum remains a beacon of hope for peaceful coexistence, improved livelihoods, and strong cross-border collaboration. With ongoing assistance, we can continue to meet, collaborate, and address the pressing needs of our communities together.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we can achieve peace and prosperity for all.

A group photo of the mambers of chief’s and LCIII forum after their quarterly meeting in Moroto Uganda

Chief Sammy Losuban addressing the forum members during their quarterly meeting in Moroto
Along the tough terrains and often unforgiving borderlands between Kenya and Uganda, where communities have endured generations of mistrust and conflict, the seeds of peace were far from easy to imagine. For years, local leaders’ chiefs on the Kenyan side and LCIII representatives in Uganda lived in a state of uneasy coexistence, their roles largely defined by isolation and division. Communication was non-existent, and any interaction was overshadowed by deep-seated suspicion and hostility.
How we moved from discord to dialogue, from isolation to cooperation, and from division to unity. It is a story of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of collaboration.
Please allow me to me take you back to where it all began. My name is Sammy Losuban, and I am the Chief of Lokiriama Location, situated in Lokiriama Sub-County. Additionally, I serve as the Chairperson of the Ateker Cross-Border Chiefs and LCIII Forum, a unique platform bringing together chiefs from Lokiriama Sub-County in Kenya, North Pokot, and the LCIII representatives from Moroto in Uganda.
The forum, established in 2015, was born out of necessity under the Peace III program, funded by USAID and implemented by APaD. Before its creation, chiefs and LCIII representatives rarely interacted. Tensions were high, relationships strained, and there was a lack of mutual cooperation. Communities suffered as leaders failed to work collaboratively to foster peace or facilitate coexistence.
Recognizing this gap, the Ateker Cross-Border Chiefs and LCIII Forum was formed to improve early warning and early response mechanisms along the borders of Kenya, Uganda, and North Pokot. It was envisioned as a peace structure to break barriers, mend relationships, and create avenues for dialogue and collaboration. Since then, the forum has achieved remarkable milestones.
One of the forum’s early successes was facilitating the resettlement of displaced communities. For instance, in areas like Loya, where insecurity had forced people to relocate to Lorengippi, the forum played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and cooperation. Through concerted efforts, the chiefs encouraged peaceful coexistence, enabling displaced families to return home.
Another notable achievement is the recovery of livestock stolen during raids. By fostering coordination among leaders and communities, the forum has facilitated the return of countless animals to their rightful owners, restoring hope and trust.
Regular meetings and dialogue sessions between chiefs and LCIII members have strengthened relationships and addressed critical community issues. Beyond peacebuilding, the forum has also supported communities in natural resource management. Through resource-sharing agreements and equitable distribution, the forum has helped their communities create resolutions that foster unity and sustainable use of shared resources.
A transformative focus of the forum has been educating communities on diversifying livelihoods beyond traditional pastoralism. These efforts have fuelled the growth of cross-border trade in the region. Today, boda boda riders and traders freely traverse borders to places like Moroto, Alale, North Pokot, and Lorengippi, engaging in vibrant economic activities. These exchanges have significantly encouraged peaceful coexistence among communities
Despite its successes, the forum faces significant challenges. The phase-out of the project funding APaD, which has been instrumental in bringing the forum together, threatens its sustainability. Without financial support, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain the forum’s activities and the momentum it has built over the years.
However, recent support from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and APaD, through the Danida-funded Connecting Cross-Border Communities for sustainable peace in the Karamoja region Project, has revived the forum. This initiative has enabled us to continue convening, discussing pressing issues, and sharing updates as a united front.
As we look ahead, sustained support is crucial to ensure the forum’s long-term impact. The Ateker Cross-Border Chiefs and LCIII Forum remains a beacon of hope for peaceful coexistence, improved livelihoods, and strong cross-border collaboration. With ongoing assistance, we can continue to meet, collaborate, and address the pressing needs of our communities together.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we can achieve peace and prosperity for all.
A group photo of the mambers of chief’s and LCIII forum after their quarterly meeting in Moroto Uganda
Chief Sammy Losuban addressing the forum members during their quarterly meeting in Moroto
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