Understanding conflict and building peace in northern Uganda
Karamoja is an arid region in north eastern Uganda, roughly the same size as Belgium. The cow is the centre of the value system of the semi-nomadic people who live here and cattle-rustling is a way of life.
However in recent years the tensions between pastoralist clans in Karamoja and across the porous borders with Kenya and Sudan have been fuelled by the vast amounts of small arms saturating the region. The high levels of armed violence and insecurity have exacerbated widespread poverty and the region suffers from some of the worst development indicators in the world. The Government of Uganda has attempted to forcibly disarm the people of Karamoja. While this appears to have reduced the violence to some degree, many people feel that it has left them more vulnerable then ever and has failed to solve the underlying causes of conflict and insecurity.
Saferworld believes that all future efforts to address the problems in Karamoja must be informed by the needs and experiences of local communities and be based on a solid grasp of the factors which contribute to conflict or peace. We are therefore undertaking a conflict and security assessment in the Moroto and Kotido districts of the region to influence peacebuilding, security and development actors to make their work more sensitive to the conflict and security needs.
Working with local community-based organisations we have gathered the experiences and views of more than 300 people on the types, causes and impacts of violence linked to cattle raids and disarmament campaigns. The informants highlighted other, less visible types of conflict which occur within their communities, such as theft and violence related to the distribution of food aid. The research also revealed however that the vast majority of respondents support the idea of a gun free Karamoja and have a strong desire for peace.
Saferworld will share the findings of its assessment and provide support to NGOs and the Government of Uganda to address the problems. We will continue to work with members of these communities, and local partners, to develop local level projects which directly contribute to increased peace and security.
