Government and
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) support to pastoralism in Karamoja
has dwindled in recent years, with many government programs and NGOs
increasing their support for crop production. The trend looks like
support for crop production is being increased at the expense of support
for animal production.
Alleged reference to
pastoralism as a ‘social ill’, that must be ‘fought like we fight
others’ by Uganda’s leaders expose unconcealed plans to deny the
Karimojong their way of life. Clandestine land deals, talk of investors
amassing large tracts of pastoral land in Karamoja lend credence to
these allegations.
Karimojong
pastoralists are receiving less support from Government. When the Foot
and Mouth Disease struck Nakapiripirit District in February 2011, the
only government intervention was in form of a quarantine enforced by the
Ministry of Agriculture. The spread of the disease reached endemic
levels. Natural relief from the disease came eight months later,
eventually leading to the opening of the cattle markets.
Despite the crucial
contribution of nomadic and transhumant pastoralism to livelihoods and
to Uganda’s economy, its role in preserving the environment, the
Karimojong are not receiving the necessary attention and support and
their economic activity is a basis of social exclusion.
Over time, the people
of Karamoja, like other (agro-) pastoralists have developed specialized
livestock raising strategies, combined with extensive and opportunistic
cropping, to allow the productive use of extensive seasonal rangelands
in arid and semi-arid lands: these systems have allowed them to make a
sensible and sustainable use of the natural resources of the area,
without degrading the fragile environment which characterizes arid and
semi-arid lands.
Mobility is an
essential feature of pastoralism: it allows the pastoralists to
continuously track the best grazing area and water sources, throughout
the year, without depleting these resources. The major reason for
mobility is to maximize livestock productivity from a fragile and
limited resource base in the context of erratic and unreliable rainfall
patterns. It provides livestock with a diversified diet
and limits the build-up of pests and diseases. Mobility also allows
pastoralists to bring the livestock closer to the market and the consumer.
The ongoing infamous
digitalization of animal tracking in Karamoja is one such poorly
implemented project feared by most pastoralists as a means to further
sedentarize them. Spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister, the
necessary sensitization of communities and pastoralists who are the key
stakeholders has not taken place, leading to poor support of the project
by the local community.
Many government
programs in Karamoja like Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAFII),
Karamoja Livelihoods Project (KALIP), the Peace, Recovery and
Development Plan (PRDP), National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)
among others in addition to activities of tens of NGOs are geared towards supporting crop production.
Whereas crop
production can also work in Karamoja, it is important to realize that
nomadic and pastoral ways of life are more adaptive to the region and
nomads generally live in balance with nature, an important aspect in
environmental protection.
We implore government
and other stakeholders to direct more support at supporting pastoralists
in Karamoja, including correcting urgently policies and plans favoring
only sedentary populations with the full participation of the
Karimojong.
