The Impact Of Disarmament Of Pastoral Communities On Their Security: The Case Of Karamoja Region Of Uganda

This thesis explores the problem of recurrent armed violence among the pastoral communities in Karamoja and the neighboring communities. It shall investigate why after many attempts at eradicating insecurity in the Karamoja region, there remains persistent armed violence. The study argues that while Karamoja is no stranger to armed violence and insecurity, the conflict has brought in new players and new dynamics. The Karamojong have survived through a mix of natural disasters and human-induced hardships through scramble for scarce natural resources such as water and pasture for their animals and cattle rustling. Although the situation can be said to be abnormal, the local communities continue to forge life throughout extreme violence in an appalling humanitarian setting. With their unwavering association with modern weapons, it was no surprise that government of Uganda and International Non-Governmental Organizations turned their focus on a possible intervention in the Karamoja sub region. Following the 2003-2006 disarmament campaign, the population in Karamoja was exposed to untold violence carried out by communities that did not surrender firearms in their possession. The Uganda People’s Defense Forces in carrying out forceful disarmament tortured innocent civilians in the hope of recovering a firearm. Throughout the 2003-2006 disarmament campaign the Government and foreign funders failed to address the reason why Karamojong pastoralists needed to arm themselves. The Operation was ill prepared, rushed and implemented. This eventually resulted in gross human rights violations as well as opportunity lost to ensure total disarmament. Besides investigating government of Uganda reasons for a disarmament campaign, this study will also establish that armed violence in Karamoja was not a result of heavy presence of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the hands of the Karamojong.