Social Economic Challenges Faced By The Karamajongo Community In Masese Division, Jinja District.

ABSTRACT

There has been an increasing number of Karamojong families arriving and settling in Masese

division of Jinja district. However, little is known about the socio-economic and social-cultural

problems faced by the Karamojong as they settle and adjust to the largely urban environment in

Masese division. The purpose of this study was to examine the socio-economic problems faced

by the Karamojong who have migrated and settled in Masese-Jinja district, Uganda. It was a cross

sectional study using face-to-face interviews in a mixed-methods approach. Analyses were

conducted to gain a better understanding of the factors that force the Karamojongo to migrate out

of their homeland and the problems they face in their new, largely urban settings. The study

found that the Karamojong leave their homeland because of the harsh weather conditions, as well

as escaping inter-tribal wars, to look for employment, and generally look for better standards of

living. While in Masese division, they report feeling isolated, unemployed, exposed to crime and

generally the high costs of urban living. These data suggest that to improve on the Karamojongs

plight in Masese division, the government and other policy makers in Masese need to improve not

only their conditions of living, but also structural interventions like facilitated resettlements and income generating projects, skills building training.