YES, Kidepo Valley National Park is safe to visit. Located in the north eastern part of Uganda in Karamoja region. It touches the border of Sudan and Kenya and 700km from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Kidepo is a semi-arid wild park with beautiful flora, vast savannah and short trees and rolling hills of mountains viewed best while at the park. For one reason or another, the Northern region of Uganda has been in the limelight of the international media. This makes the tourist wonder if they will be in an environment that is serene and safe, for their lives and property and the answer is yes, still.
True, for a long time, Karamoja was a region of insecurity caused by tribal conflicts that go beyond international borders. The Toposa of Sudan and the Masai of Kenya are cousins of the Karamojong. They all live a similar life of pastoralism keeping large herds of cattle for prestigious reasons and not for economic reasons. Cattle is a symbol of wealth and high status in their community.
However, given the fact that they are in a semi-arid region with harsh weather. The cattle multiplication rate is very low which makes the pastoralists to gang up and raid across borders to rustle cattle from each other. The probability that one will live during such raids is very minimum. Unfortunately, the raids affected Uganda Safaris into the park and travel was halted altogether.
Luckily, the three countries sensitized and disarmed the warriors. To date, regular patrols are still carried out to monitor the activities of the people. Also, Uganda had an internal insurgence by the Lord’s Resistance Army in Northern Uganda who agitated for a state based on the Ten Commandments. This army was defeated and peace, security and order has been restored
In Sudan, there was a civil war before the formation of South Sudan. The people of South Sudan agitated for Independence from Khartoum based on unfair distribution of resources and marginalization. The conflict spilled into Northern Uganda as well, the Karamojong being neighbors and cousins to the people of South Sudan. South Sudan then gained independence in 2005 and the wars ceased.
Generally, Northern Uganda is safe to visit and the people may look hostile but they are very warm and welcoming. Come to Kidepo Valley National Park and enjoy the wilderness in it.
