In Uganda there are many indigenous communities. First, there is Batwa of South-West, Benet of the East as well as Karamojong of the north-east.
The Basongora and lk also prefer to be identified as indigenous communities in Uganda.
The Karamoja of Uganda covers the following districts: Amudat, Moroto, Abim, Kaabong, Napak and Nakapiripirit.
In the above districts there are also other ethnic communities such as Pokot, Dototh and Jie.
The Karamojong interact with communities from Kenya and South Sudan. That is the Turkana and Pokot.
in 2001 and 2006, forceful disarmament exercises were conducted by 15,000 Ugandan soldiers.
These exercises by Uganda People’s Defense Force lead to human rights abuses such as murder and rape.
A report by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) indicates that these human rights violations have made the Karamojong warriors not to surrender their weapons.
This explains why the Karamojong region of Uganda is left behind with a 2008 UN Report showing that 82% of the population was living below poverty line.
The ACHPR report indicates that by 1965, up to 95% of Karamojong land had been gazetted as conservation areas. However, upon realizing that most of these lands were occupied by the Karamojong, the parliament of Uganda degazetted 53.8% of the land and as a result this action reduced over 40% of the conservation land.
Pastoralism makes great contribution to the national economies of various countries. According to research findings by the African union, pastoralism is valued at 3/4 of a billion USD in Kenya every year.
In East African countries, it is estimated that between 7 to 20 million people are employed in pastoralism. Further, this sector produces an excess of 90 percent of all meat consumed in East African countries.
Key Highlights
It is sad that despite having lived on their lands for centuries, they do not have titled deeds for the lands which they occupy. This means that their land rights are not recognized under the law.
