The armed forces recently reversed orders that forced the Karimojong of northeastern Uganda to forgo their traditional dress in favor of western-style clothing. In the wake of episodes of inter-community violence in May, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces forbade the pastoralist Karimojong from wearing khangas, sheet-like garments which, the government claimed, were used to conceal weapons. Officials cited the cooperation of Jie warriors and the fact that the conflict is subsiding to explain the reversal of policy.
