From Cattle Raids to Community Resilience: The Peace Journey of Tolem Anmoni VSLA

In the heart of Karamoja, a region synonymous with the echoes of cattle raids and conflict, a quiet revolution is taking root. The Tolem Anmoni Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in Napak district is proving that peace can blossom from activities designed for financial empowerment.

In 2024, with funding from the Government of Norway, UN Women in collaboration with Women’s International Peace Centre, equipped 42 women from Napak with skills in peacebuilding, mediation and conflict transformation techniques as peace mediators. Armed with the new knowledge and skills, Kokoi Gabriella, the group’s secretary, explains, “We gathered the men who used to participate in raids and shared key message on peace. We also connected with the youths (the Karacunas) and emphasized the importance of avoiding cattle raids.” This outreach has been instrumental in shifting the attitudes of the men and youth who once participated in raids.

During the training the women mediators learned that they could use community savings groups to promote peace. After the training, the women mediators mobilised members of their community and started Tolem Anmoni VSLA. 

Every Friday, the 30 members of Tolem Anmoni VSLA, men, women, and youth, gather for their savings and loan activities. These meetings have evolved into more than just financial transactions; they are now a platform for accountability and peacebuilding. During these gatherings, members discuss peace messages and commit to non-violence, holding each other accountable for their actions. Those who miss a meeting must explain their absence. This simple act of community oversight has deterred many from participating in cross-border cattle raids, fostering a sense of shared responsibility. In this community, if a community member disappears for a couple of days, it is a signal that they might have gone for raiding, an activity that usually takes at least a week.

What has truly transformed this group is how they handle the aftermath of cattle raids. Instead of retaliating, the group has pledged to support any member who loses cattle in a raid. The group, with the assistance of the local security team, helps track down and recover the stolen animals. This approach has proven effective, and to date three members have successfully retrieved their cattle without resorting to violence.

One of the most powerful examples of this shift in mindset came from the group's chairperson, Rose Lolil. In February 2025, Rose's cattle were raided, an event that would have traditionally sparked a cycle of violence and revenge. However, Rose chose a different path—she used this tragic event as an opportunity to preach peace. Lolil, alongside Lucia Anyala, another member of who recovered seven of her own stolen cattle with the group’s support, have become a testament to the power of unity over retaliation.

Lolil, however, understands that lasting peace requires more than individual efforts. She passionately advocates for the functionalization of local peace committees, recognizing that systemic change is crucial. "If these committees were working," she asserts, "true peace would be within our reach."

Today, Tolem Anmoni VSLA is not just a savings group; it is a movement for peace. Through their collective action, the members are proving that even in the most challenging of environments, communities can forge their own path to peace, one saving, one conversation, and one recovered animal at a time.