Ah, off to drink

again! If men worked

as much as us, our I love my
family would be
richer.
culture and
am proud
to be a
Karimojong
Uganda is
committed to
empowering
women by 2015. Nakiru
Tereza,
Tell us how many hours your mother y 2008
works compared to your father. Is it o l. 1 4 No.3 Ma Moroto
V
equal? WRITE TO PO BOX 22366 KLA

Beautiful Karamoja
W hat do you know about Karamoja? The Karimojong
are Ugandans with strong traditions. This has made
some people feel negatively about them. Yet their society
has strengths that we can learn from.

Straight Talk travelled to Karamoja to get beautiful stories

to share with you. Read on....

Less HIV in Karamoja

Did you know that the prevalence of HIV in Karamoja is very low? Of
Karimojong aged 15-49, less than 1% have HIV. This is far less than the
national figure of 6.4% and far far less than the over 8% of 15-49 year
olds in the Central and Central North who have the virus. The
question here is, why? We tried to find out. One reason, it seems, is
that they are serious on sex and marriage.

Adikyo, an Elder from Naduket Moroto told us:

"In Karimojong culture, boys and girls below 18 do not
marry, and sex before marriage is a taboo. When a young
man of 20 years or above wants to marry, he will identify a
mature girl. He will negotiate with her parents for
brideprice, which he pays and marries her. Most
Karimojong men marry one wife. One can marry another
wife only if the first wife cannot give birth. But still he does
not divorce her. "

This young warrior is holding his

traditional stool. See page 3 and
learn how it is also a pillow.

Culture in I am
Positive Karamoja smart in my
Young warrior: • girls marry on average marriage
blanket skirt
loves cows at 19.3 years, a year later than in
the rest of Uganda! People from all continents
come here. This means we are
In future when I get a wife, I will be • there is less sex before marriage:
faithful to her. I fear HIV. In my culture special people. I loved school so
90% of unmarried females and 76%
people say HIV is a curse for people who of unmarried males aged 15-24 in much but my parents were not
have sex anyhow. I left school because my Karamoja have not had sex. supportive. I resorted to brewing
friends were out of school. I wanted to be alcohol. Brewing is where I get money
part of them. I regret leaving school. I for survival. If I get an opportunity to
Culture in
raid animals, and I am proud of having
many cows, but I fear being killed.
Negative Karamoja
go back to school, why not? I admire
educated people. They look nice.
Lomurai, 18, Naduket, • distrust of education • rape of brides Nakiru Tereza, Moroto
• cattle raiding.
Moroto
Dictincoe- n ary: Can you see what is good in the Karimojong
Prevale The growing rate
want to
Cherish- To love and
protect some thing
culture that reduces the chance of HIV? Discuss
Chores- The daily wo
es pecially at ho me
rk
in your Straight Talk Club.
2 Straight Talk, May 2008

Cattleraids, hunger and poverty Sex delay and faithfulness benefitting children and women. water, grind cereals like sorghum,

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Culturally, Karimojong do not have Today alcohol has taken the place mothers supervise household
early sex. They wait until they are over of milk." chores while fathers plan for and
18. Karimojong rarely have sex before ensure security of the family.
or outside marriage. When a boy wants For warriors, no guns means no
to marry, he tells his parents. They cows, which means no brideprice. Due to long drought and
negotiate with the girl's parents. "They are thinking of Plan B now cattleraids, there is little cultivation
Alternatively, he may force the girl into sex they can no longer raid," said one and famine attacks the area.
then marry her. But that practice is dying away. teacher. "They are not happy."
Such men pay fines of goats or cows and must Poverty and crisis
marry the girl. When a man marries, he does not Agriculture Karamoja is the poorest area in
divorce his wife, even when they do not produce The women grow sorghum for food Uganda. It has only seasonal rivers
children. and to brew into alcohol. They so all its water runs to neighbouring
have donkeys which help them to districts to the east. Cattleraids
Land and housing fetch water and carry agricultural have created an atmosphere of fear
produce. They also have camels. and sorrow: 75% of the population
Land is communally owned. People live in
manyattas, (homesteads with many huts). is hungry and has to be fed by
Karimojong work hard to survive. World Food Programme.
Boys look after animals, girls fetch
Cattle culture
Cows are dearly cherished. The more cows one
has, the richer he is. Traditional young men raid
to get more cattle. One Karimojong explained how
it is done. "First, warriors send one or two people
to spy on where the animals are. Then they
organise a mass movement of warriors and storm
the kraal. They can kill people."

But since the army started to disarm the

warriors, such raids are rare, although some
young men still have guns, . In fact, today few
Karimojong have any cattle at all since so
many cows have perished due to raids and
drought! This is a tragedy for the Karimojong.

"Those few animals that are in our communities

These are held by warlords," explained another
pretty girls Karimojong. "They are held far away, not
do not have
babies. They
are carrying
food on their
backs.
Tough times for young Karimojong
Some cultural practices in Karamoja like rape as courtship,
body tattooing and wife inheritance are "drivers" of HIV.
In our culture girls are not My father has 50 cows. My Most of my friends are cattle I love grazing animals more than
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allowed to go to school. Our
parents say we shall become
prostitutes and get HIV. But it is
not true. Anyway prostitution is a
taboo in Karamoja. My
parents are so negative
about my education.
So when I reached
secondary, I started
brewing for school
fees. I also have
pressure from my
relatives, who want
brideprice and say I
am wasting time. What
mother is a tailor. My cousin raiders. That is where they get going to school though at the
was married off at just 13. She their school fees. moment am in school. Since we
was in P6. Men brought alcohol One was killed in a cattle raid. are only two boys in our family, we
for my father and asked for her in Before I joined school, I need to protect our animals. My
marriage. He asked for 30 grazed animals and did parents said that education is a
cows and 20 goats, which they not like school. But when "During waste of time. I started school
the raiders took all our holidays I after my brother was killed while
"My mother brought after a month. The cows, I had nothing to
says girls with men then proceeded to my do but to come to school. graze cows he went grazing. From that time I
feared to go grazing but I still
cousin's school. One of them When I joined, it was not but fear love animals. My sisters did not
breasts are to tricked her to come out of the easy. But I got used and
be loved by being killed" go to school. Also all my friends I
school, saying her mother now like it. I want to study grew with did not go to school
men" wanted to give her something. hard and build a because no one is there to
They grabbed her by force permanent house and stop living in a encourage them. I am a warrior but
and took her for marriage. manyata. others cannot identify you unless they
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I hate most is men touching my We love cows so much because the know you and are your neighbours.
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The teachers could not help. Those

breasts when I sell alcohol. When I
tell my mother, she says a girl with
breasts is supposed to be loved by
men. My advice to Straight Talkers
is: Remain firm. Education is the
light to a brighter future. Ajilong
Esther, 18, S3, Moroto HS
men could return and kill them. I more cows you have, the more
respect you gain. That is why most
would have ran to the missionaries people steal to earn that respect. Most
who can keep me in a convent or children in Karamoja study on their
take me to a boarding school. own so they stop in P7. The parents
Chebet Emmy, 17, S2 Moroto are not able to support them. Pulkol
HS Ivan, 20, S5, Moroto High School
During holidays I graze and dig but do
not go very far because I fear being
killed. My advice to the youth in
Karamoja is to stop conflict over cows.
Lochap Moses, St Mary’s
Seminary Nadiket, S2, Moroto
High School
 3 Straight Talk, May 2008

Education and radio for a better life to modernity. Even for the few who
have adopted it, males still marry
traditionally and initiate to become
men. Females are married for more
or less the same 'price' whether
they have been to school or not."
The government and Unicef want
all children to go to school. Young
Karimojong, you can help by
talking well of education.

Straight Talk loves all young

people, so in October 2006
we started a Nga'karimojong radio
show. The voice behind the first
shows was the young and

O
nly 25% of children energetic Caroline Napeyok, a PTC
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are in school in Karamoja. graduate from Moroto.

There are many reasons,
including the belief that educated We are happy to announce that
girls become prostitutes and that Caroline became a parent in 2007,
boys should focus on cows. But so she now presents the Reaching the remotest communities: (left) Napeyok reads her
some Karimojong have beaten the Nga'karimojong Parent Talk radio
challenge. Phillip Limlim Lomma show. Anna Maria Lokwii, a young script wearing her best traditional outfit (right) Anna Maria
grew up in Lorukumo, went to Karimojong graduate, now presents interviews an elder in Nakapiripirit.
Moroto High School, Makerere Straight Talk in Nga'karimojong.
University, and the Canadian
Christian Medical Institute, where Straight Talk has an office in Regina will come to Kotido, Kabong and
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he won academic prizes. He works Mundi Village in Moroto run by Nakapiripirit. If you want them to
for UNICEF. Martin Oenen, who for many years visit your school or manyatta, write
presented our Ateso radio show, to Straight Talk P O Box 127 Moroto
He says: "Few Karimojong have Einer Eitena. Young people, please or P O Box 22366 Kampala. The
assimilated modern culture. Very drop by and say hi. If you cannot go shows are on Karamoja FM, Veritas,
few go to school, which is a vehicle to Moroto, do not worry. Our team Step FM and UBC.

Education can protect you Although HIV is low in Karamoja, it care they can live long and
Problems! Problems!
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is increasing. So do not relax. meangiful lives.

My mother got married to Staying in school can help you stay • Education controls the level of
another man. When she left safer. rape and helps you marry at the
me, men started disturbing • You learn how to prevent HIV right age. Many girls who are not
and look after people with HIV. In in school are married off against
me. To escape forced their will. If a girl marries at her
Karamoja some people with HIV
marriage, I went to school. are abandoned and die, yet with own will, she can make a happier
My father refused to give me family.
even the little money for
buying books. It is hard, but Education also helps
I will push on. Losike Felly you:
• Get skills for jobs
Monica, S3, Moroto High • Care for your
School environment

I stay with my grandfather

who tells me to marry
because he is becoming old
and wants to eat cows from
me. He has his own cows.
He says if I refuse he will • Communicate confidently without
curse me. I am still fear.
schooling. Should I marry? • Be a strong and wise leader
• Be a smart business person.
Gorreti Nakwang, • Avoid the dangers of
Moroto HS cattleraids.

When given a chance, Karimojong shine

Karamoja region was the best in last year’s
O' levels! It had four of the five top districts.

Kotido was the best in the country. It had

141 candidates: 100% passed! Moroto was
second. Out of 361 candidates, only one Karimojong
failed: so 99.7% passed. Abim followed: out
of 166 candidates, 165 passed (99.4%). In people are
Kabong, 91 out of 92 candidates passed used to
(98%). Wakiso was the fifth best district in walking long
the country. distances.
Their area is
Students in Karamoja study under difficult Cultural pillow
conditions, but many excel. You too can
sparsely
Karimojong men sleep populated.
shine. Karamoja has Kotido, Moroto, comfortably with their head
Abim, Kabong and Nakapiripirit on their traditional stool
districts.
4 Straight Talk, May 2008
Pimples something white like posho.

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Is it true that having many Semwanga P, S2, 15,
pimples means you have too Homeland College, Kyotera

Dear
much sperm? D Nahabwe, Sorry. It is not comfortable to have
S3, Bwambara SS, Rukungiri anything wrong with your private
No, Nahabwe. Pimples are parts. Any discharge from your
caused by body changes. Do not penis other than urine or semen

SYFA
be deceived. And what is the needs medical attention. Is the
measure of too much sperm? posho-like substance under your
Too much sperm is solved by wet foreskin? That could be candida
Boxx 22
O. Bo 3666
2236 dreams. Be gentle with your skin. or an accumulation of smegma,
P.P. O. Do not squeeze the pimples or the natural substance secreted by
M P A A L
KK AA M P A L A use strong soap. the body. Wash daily under the
foreskin, and it will go away.
Getting saved and HIV Please see a doctor.
Does becoming saved
prevent HIV, unwanted Virginity and pain
pregnancies and STDs? Is it true that if a girl keeps
Members of ST Club, her virginity she is likely to get
Muterere SS, Bugiri abdominal pains? Phiona, S4,
Yes and no. All religions preach Kitetika Comprehensive
no sex before marriage and College, Kampala
faithfulness to your partner. Your No. You can have menstrual pain Members of Ave Maria SS
saved friends can be a safe and pain due to STDs but you can
group for you. But what never have pain due to virginity. Kyenjojo ST club with their
really protects you from Is someone encouraging you to patron.
HIV is your behaviour. have sex? Be wise and see behind you stop the pills, you ovulate again

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Take your time, club the pressure. and can get pregnant.
members.
Pills and pregnancy Sex demand
White discharge Is it true that if someone uses I live with my brother. His wife
I have a problem pills, she can get pregnant asks me to have sex with her. I
with my penis. after four or five years? Grace always refuse. What can I do?
When I am Atuhirwe, Excel HS, Boy, 14, S1, Buhugu SS, Sironko
bathing, I see Ntungamo That is shocking and a shame. This
Yes, she can get pregnant after lady is a guardian. You must
four or five years. She can also get continue saying no. Telling your
Susan Tusiime, 18, pregnant within a few days of brother will cause problems in his
and Denis Pato, 22, stopping the pills! That is why house. Ask a mature relative to tell
are the S6 leavers females who take pills have to take her to leave you alone. If she
handling Straight them faithfully everyday. Pills do continues disturbing you, ask your
Talk letter s. They not cause infertility. brother to allow you to stay
promise to get an They contain a very small amount somewhere else.
answer back to you of hormone that only prevents
within one month! ovulation for a day or two. Once Counselor Falal Rubanga, STF

Marijuana can make

you impotent Meet Charmaine!
Charmaine Matovu, 20, presents “Sharon, it’s obvious that you are
In the UK health workers are Straight Talk’s English radio show in love but you need to go slow
seeing young with Robert Mukasa. She likes to tell on yourself. Avoid thinking about
men with him that he is not a good this boy too much
impotence due to dancer. Charmaine lives because the more you
heavy use of with her grandmother think, the more
cannabis (mari- and completed her S6 at “I’ve been depressed you get.
juana, banghi, Greenhill Academy, there - when It’s hard to ignore
enjaga). Kampala. you have feelings, but if
unbearable something is driving
Says nurse Ian Russell from “At Straight Talk I have feelings you crazy, it’s not good.
Scotland: “Some boys smoke learnt about computers. I for a guy.” I mean you said you even
five or six times a week. This can help young people faint!
tes
injures special cells in the tes because they face problems I
ter on e, the
which secrete testos have been through.” I’ve been there. I’ve had
get
male hormone. When they unbearable feelings for a guy. But
to age 14 or 15 the y hav e I controlled myself by reading Our new
n. Charmaine gives good advice.
problems getting an erectio Sharon Nafula is worried that she books and hanging out with my Straight Talk
e ver y low tes tos ter one
They hav
and low sexual desire. Th is is not feels faint when she thinks about
her boyfriend.
friends. Don’t be lonely. This will
spark off those thoughts about
Radio presenter!
healthy.” Charmaine answered on air: that guy you love.”

Give your wisdom to fellow peers and win T-shirts

I have stayed with my girlfriend for everything about early sex. Help her to C Sserutoogo, Kyotera College cannot get pregnant. Is it true?
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five years. We love each other very avoid friends who cause trouble. If she of Business Studies What can be done if the
much. We abstain. Due to peer loves you, she will listen. Semaliza V, condom remains in the girl’s
pressure she is now asking for sex. I
am focusing on studies and do not
17, S4, St Mary’s SS, Bombo
New QUIZ: vagina? E Kayondo, R
Yiga, M Nakiganda, Kizza
want to make her pregnant which Please do not put much effort in that Please advise! Memorial School, Masaka
might lead to early marriage. What relationship. Be firm on your books. I hear that the condom
can I do? GK, Ndeeba SS, This will save you from problems. prevents pregnancy:
Nviiri B, S2, Bombo Army Sch
Kayunga does it prevent HIV? I
hear that if a boy has sex Send sincere advice
If they cannot to say no to sex, they
Thanks to all who wrote in to can use condoms and faithfulness to
with a girl using a condom
for the first round and the second
to Straight Talk,
help JK! Below are the T SHIRT
winners:
prevent HIV and outbreak from
school. E Gombura, Moyo Town SS
round he does not use it, she PO Box 22366 Kampala.
You are in a challenging situation STRAIGHT TALK FOUNDATION
because your love has grown deep.
Tell her that true loves waits. A Other winners: Plot 4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, P. O. Box 22366, Tel: 0312-262030, 0312-262031, 0414-530088
Kampala (U), Fax: 0414-534858, E-mail: strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug, strtalk@imul.com, Web:
Birungi, NTC Masindi Asindu P, Yumbe SS; Matsiko N, www.straight-talk.or.ug Director: C. Watson, Deputy Director: T. Agutu, Editorial Manager: E.
Mbarara Municipal S; Bihanikire Kimuli, Editors: G. Awekofua, M. Akello, D. Agaba, J. Abongowath. Designers: G.B
Talk to your girl friend and tell her S, Labsgata Technical Institute; Mukasa, M.eB Kalanzi, Funded by DANIDA, DFID, SIDA, Printer: The New Vision