Cattle keepers from Napumpum cancel fishing activities on Kaeselem dam

10 February 2025, 4:53 pm

By Stanley Ebele

Residents of Napumpum subcounty in Kotido have unanimously resolved to halt all economic activities on Kaeselem Dam, reserving it exclusively as a water source for cattle.

The dam, located in Lolito parish, had recently attracted several fishermen from within and outside the area. This raised concerns among cattle keepers, who argued that fishing activities were contaminating the water and preventing cattle from drinking clean water.

The dispute escalated into a tense standoff between fishermen and cattle keepers, with both groups arming themselves with bows and arrows, threatening to turn the conflict violent.

During a meeting held on Thursday at Napumpum Trading Centre, residents resolved to ban all economic activities, including fishing, in the dam until the cattle have been moved out of the area when the dam dries up.

Several herdsmen accused the fishermen of polluting the water, making it unsuitable for livestock consumption.

Lochoro Apalomuret and Lotee Nameribok emphasised that Kotido is currently experiencing a water crisis, making it essential to conserve valley dam water strictly for livestock.

Napumpum LC3 Chairperson, Ibrahim Lodiny Amin, has appealed to Kotido district authorities to construct more dams to ensure a sufficient water supply for animals.

Meanwhile, Kotido District Production Officer, Robert Kennedy Okuda, confirmed that the government plans to de-silt two dams in Kotido this financial year to improve water availability.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries is currently constructing Sinat Dam in addition to the 44 valley dams already established across the district,” Okuda stated.