BRIEFING NOTE

Pastoralist Rangeland Management Practices

And Environmental Health in the Karamoja Region
Thousands of people are at risk of losing their livelihood
due to fast degrading rangelands in Karamoja- Report
warns.
INTRODUCTION
Karamoja is part of the expansive rangelands referred to as the
cattle corridor which traverses Uganda from north east to south
west, dominated by natural grassland, bush land and wood lands
and renowned for pastoralism. Karamoja region is also an area of
conservation significance. Rugadya et al. (2010) reveals that 77.2%
of the land area in Karamoja is gazetted under government control
with 11.6% under National Forest reserves, 24.8% under exclusive
mineral exploration licenses and 40.8% under wild life. This statistics
still excludes urban areas. Therefore the land available for the over
1.1million Karamojongs is approximately only 38% of the total
Karamoja land area.
The study report Pastoralist rangeland management practices and
environmental health in the Karamoja region, 2012, completed
as part of the ECHO-funded project, Building resilience against
drought in the Karamoja region through improved water resources
management reveals critical issues on the status of the rangelands
in Karamoja region that is putting thousands of people at risk of
losing their livelihoods in fast degrading upstream areas of Lokok
catchment and calls for urgent attention from government and key
actors. The main area of study was the Lokok River sub-catchment
that covers four Districts of Napak, Kotido, Kaabong, and Abim in
Karamoja region, North Eastern Uganda.

EVOLVING Rangelands Management Practices in Lokok

sub-Catchment

and control are changing. However, the women are still largely
marginalized by their male counterparts. Efforts to continuously
provide viable opportunities to engage women in decisions,
management, access and control of the pastoral rangelands will
ensure that their voices are taken into consideration.
The concept of protected kraal system could have contributed
more positively in curbing insecurity in the Karamoja area.
However, its negative impacts on the pastoralist rangelands
health and management system was detrimental according to
the findings. Partners should find a constructive way to dialogue
with the security management organs to conduct participatory
review of the protected kraal system. It is recommended that the
security system must recognize the ecological importance of
pastoral mobility and other important aspects of the traditional
pastoral system while providing security for the livestock.

The study confirms the fact that Karamoja is changing and

adapting in several ways. However one factor that remains
Rangelands Health in Lokok Sub-River Catchment
crucial is mobility. It remains the most important strategy of
The study concludes that 25% of the total rangelands area
the rangelands ecological management system in Karamoja,
of Lokok sub-catchment is facing degradation (with areas
but several factors are putting this strategy under strain. Efforts
described as highly degraded taking 11.9% (1,601 km2),
must be placed towards establishing the recognition of mobility
Degraded 13.1% (1,768 km2). The data shows that much of
as a strategy in Karamoja and guaranteeing the possibility of
the area falls under the moderately healthy rangelands class
the practice to continue within the confines of the emerging
(6,999 km2; 52%). However, the moderately healthy areas
developments.
were found to be swinging towards degradation as opposed
The customary rangelands management system is still relevant
to improvements. This situation presents a huge challenge to
in Karamoja and opportunities already exist for the formal
the region that is already exhibiting serious climatic variations.
rangelands management system to learn more and find a linking
23% of the rangelands can still be described as healthy areas
point to ensure that the two systems do work in harmony. Policy
constituting 3, 097 km2.
makers and other stakeholders should continuously encourage
The analysis shows that the most degraded districts were
the involvement of the customary leaders and people with
Kotido and Kaabong located in upstream areas of the Lokok
indigenous knowledge in any programme or policy development
sub catchment.
for Karamoja.

The study shows that there is a strong relationship between
Gender disparities in terms of rangelands management, access
rangelands health and the number of livestock in a given area
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

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of Lokok sub-catchment. Comparing the rangelands health

map with the National livestock census of 2008, the livestock
populations in upstream areas presented the most degraded
conditions. The areas with notable degraded land areas were
found in Kalapata in Kaabong, Kotido sub-county and Lopei in
Napak district.
Further analysis of the livestock density and the rangelands
health showed that, the high livestock density per se was not
the problem, but factors that worked against the livestock
mobility such as the underlying problem of insecurity which
contributed to the emergence of protected kraal system of
livestock protection in Karamoja.
The Rangelands health indicators established some relationship
between protected areas and the rangelands health condition
in Lokok Catchment. Areas around gazetted wildlife areas and
forest reserves were found to be healthier rangelands.

CONCLUSIONS
Increasingly, credible research, Pan Africa, Regional and National
Policies are recognizing the value of pastoralism as regards to
the sustainable and productive use of the rangelands and that in
fact, the pastoral system does not interfere with the rangelands
ecosystem, but actually that it makes the ecosystem. Soil erosion
was identified as the key unifying factor for various indicators
presented in literature and was used as a basis for Lokok
rangelands health sampling. Soil erosion was also mentioned by all
the communities consulted as an indicator for rangelands health,
showing the utility of indigenous knowledge in rangelands health
mapping. Therefore, soil erosion maybe considered as a primary
indicator of mapping and monitoring of rangeland health. In future,
other indicators such as biomass and species composition should
be explored.
Increasing agro-pastoralism and security measures by protected
kraals influence communal grazing and transhumance systems
that have defined rangelands management practices and grazing
system in Karamoja. The pastoralists keep their activities limited
to areas around protected kraals leading to prevalence in animal
diseases and increased susceptibility to degradation. Innovative
ways are required on balancing security with sustainable
management of rangelands resources. With limited livestock
mobility and a growing sedentary system, the pastoralists
face challenges of access to pasture and water. This requires a
comprehensive land use plan to rationalize the evolving land use
types and practices.
Environmental characteristics differ according to upstream,
midstream and downstream location in the Lokok sub-catchment.
Up and midstream areas which have steeper topography and higher
livestock density are more susceptible to erosion and show higher
proportions of degraded rangeland patches. It is recommended

that upstream, midstream and downstream catchment zones

are considered in assessment, planning and management of the
Lokok sub-catchment.
The planning goal derived from the community consultation
was Healthy environment with good pasture, healthy animals,
enough water, and better conditions in terms of development
infrastructure, sanitation and peace. This implies a holistic
environmental management approach for the Karamoja region that
caters for security as much as the conventional biophysical and
socio-economic consideration in environmental planning.
There is a relationship between protected areas and rangeland
health in Lokok sub-catchment. Healthier rangeland areas are
shown in areas that contain gazetted protected areas (wildlife
and forest reserves). There is need to study the linkages between
rangelands health and conservation activities to inform the
relationship between livestock, protected areas and rangeland
management in Lokok sub-catchment.
Veterinary services, agro-climate information and advisory services
are critical in the face of increasing diseases around protected
kraals, increasing climate variability and the need to restore
degraded patches of the catchment. Government capacity in
delivering these services is required.
3.4. Recommendations for future interventions
Shortage of pasture during the dry season: Karamoja experiences a
uni-modal rainfall regime which commences from April to November
with peak rainfall during April, May, July and August, while much of
the year remains dry. The rainfall range of 140 to 160 days is known
to be the shortest annual length of the growing period. Sometimes
the rain decreases drastically towards the end of the rainy season,
leading to crop failure and poor pasture that the pastoralists have not
anticipated. The rainfall regime implies abundant pasture resources
during the rainy season. Without attention, however, the dried pasture
usually dissipates through fires and harvesting for other uses, leaving
the dry season pasture deficient.

Pastoralist mobility is still the most viable option for managing
and accessing pasture and water during the prolonged dry
period. Partners should support land demarcation based on
careful analysis of the available resources on the rangelands to
ensure the mobility corridors are protected between the various
livelihood zones.

There is need to work with communities to map and
demarcate the communal grazing areas, and also acquire
legal documentation as enshrined in the Land Act (Communal

Certificate of Ownership).
The demarcation should take into consideration the mobility
corridors that should be mapped and demarcated with visible
mark stones/concrete. The process should be guided through
participatory process. The demarcation will ensure that there
is no encroachment and management of the grazing areas will
be organized under a selected committee or through the clan
system.

Soil Erosion: Soil erosion was identified as a priority problem in

the Lokok sub-catchment. Erosion is caused by a combination of
torrential rains, porous soils that have poor water retention and a
sloping landscape with rock outcrops, hills and mountains and a
generally undulating landscape from north-east to the south, leading
to rampant run-off. Overgrazing, tree cutting for charcoal, fires and
poor cultivation practices also leave the land bare and prone to
erosion. Soil erosion was also reported to be caused by prolonged
dry spells that resulted in the loss of vegetation cover leaving the
land bare. Once eroded, the soils support poor pasture and crops. In

order to control soil erosion the following were recommended:

Focus on establishing tree planting programs: Tree planting programs exist in Karamoja but face challenges of prolonged droughts
and porous sandy soils with poor water retention. Therefore, the
tree planting programs should consider drought tolerant species.
This should take advantage of the opportunity like the akiriket and
tree conservation in the shrines.
Bylaws: considering that tree cutting for fuel has become a wellknown source of income for the population, it should be noted
that the problem is not necessarily tree cutting but the push and
pull factors which revolve around limited livelihood opportunities
and poverty. Therefore, a combination of bylaws and long term
development and livelihood diversification programmes should be
considered.

Restoration of overgrazed areas around water points, kraals and

manyattas should be done through check dams, filling and of
gullies and tree planting on bare ground. No vegetation cover
was mentioned as the key indicator of rangelands health and one
of the key causes of soil erosion. Vegetation cover has reduced
due to over grazing especially in areas around the kraals and
areas with rampant tree cutting for charcoal burning. To sustain
the restoration process, there is need for the government to pay
particular attention to balancing between security measures and
the requirements of a pastoral production system which is built
around mobility.
Water shortage: Although Karamoja experiences short rains, it is of
high intensity and presents an opportunity for rainwater harvesting.
This opportunity may be exploited through the following:
Partners must support the process of mapping the available
water points and identify the gaps in relations to the pastoral
system, and in partnership with the districts and the pastoralists
communities, develop a comprehensive plan that will ensure
the balance between the water, grazing needs and other land
uses to avoid possibilities of overgrazing and degradation of the
rangelands around watering points.
Improve water management practices: Due to prolonged dry
seasons and droughts, there is need to sustainably manage
the water that is collected in the rainy seasons to valley dams,

tanks and ponds as well as water from boreholes and rivers

which are seasonal. Water user groups have been established
in Karamoja as stipulated in the Water Policy (1995) but they
need strengthening by training in water management practices.
They need strengthened partnership with Local Governments to
share their own traditional skills that have worked and enhance
skills and technologies in operating, maintaining and managing
water systems.
There is need for advocacy to influence budgetary allocation to
the region to provide water points in every parish as stipulated
in the Water Policy. Opportunities exist through the Ministry for
Karamoja that has heightened the position of Karamoja on the
government development agenda.

Bush fires: Bush fires are set during the dry season mainly to
support growth of tender and nutritious pasture once the rains
come. Since the fire scars are left bare, the limited vegetation cover
renders the burnt areas susceptible to erosion through run-off and or
wind erosion. The following recommendations were identified:

Prepare a fire management plan including bye laws to deter
intentional fires that are not planned and make response
difficult.

Combine opportunities of the Akiriket (the traditional
administrative leadership mainly comprised of Kraal or
clan leaders and community elders) and the existing formal
institutions of governance to device mechanisms of managing
the bush fire issue.
Invasive species: The common invasive species in Lokok subcatchment were Picinus communis (Ebune), Cynodon dactylon
(Toananya), Priva sp., Hoslundia opposita (Etupukwanait) and
Ipomoea sp (Amatwae). They are known to quickly overtake the

palatable species and are poisonous while some cause physical

injury to livestock. The most affected parishes are Lorikitae and
Kulodwong. In Kulodwong, an invasive species called Motho was
reportedly difficult to manage. The following recommendations were
identified:

Partners must initiate a program on eradication of invasive
species including research and monitoring. The program should
employ innovative approaches by use of GIS and remote sensing
for mapping and monitoring pasture at individual species level.
The Karamajong communities have knowledge of the species
and the impacts on the rangelands. Their knowledge should be
part of the research, monitoring and implementation effort.

Based on the above programme, Partners/Planners should
establish a rangeland tracker that provides regular update on
the rangelands health and share the information with the various
stakeholders to inform programme development and planning.
Assessment and planning considering upstream, midstream
and downstream catchment zones: Environmental characteristics
differ according to upstream, midstream and downstream location
in the Lokok sub-catchment. Up and midstream areas which
have steeper topography and higher livestock density are more
susceptible to erosion and show higher proportions of degraded
rangeland patches.

Holistic land use planning: A land use plan for the catchment
is needed which addresses existing and emerging competitive
land uses including grazing, crop cultivation, poultry, piggery
(of indigenous species), tree planting and conservation.
Land use planning in Karamoja should take cognizant of all
the key livelihoods options, while appreciating that pastoral
requirements are given priority as the most viable livelihoods
with clearly demarcated mobility and grazing routes.
Community wildlife conservation opportunities: Rangeland
health mapping showed the healthiest rangelands around protected
areas, suggesting that proximity to protected areas may be important
for rangeland health. The conservation importance of Karamoja as
host to various protected areas including wildlife protected areas
presents an opportunity for up-scaling rangelands management
practices which control erosion and maintain vegetation by regulating
utilization and supporting communities to realize conservation
benefits. The Wildlife laws and policy which provide for benefits to
communities neighboring protected areas including conservation
and tourism benefits must be seen to be put in practice to enhance
the communitys appreciation of wildlife conservation as source
of livelihood and income. The following recommendations were
identified:

In details, study the linkages between rangelands health and
conservation activities as a basis for integrating the relationship
into the rangeland management system in the area.

Based on the above study, integrate community conservation
and tourism in rangeland planning and management to support
communities engage in conservation activities and realize
alternative livelihoods.

There is need to engage Uganda Wildlife Authority to invest
in cooperate social responsibilities for communities living
around the protected areas. For example, some experts link the
continued prevalence of livestock diseases to the game parks
as the breeding place.

Develop a tracking mechanism to monitor the rate of degradation
especially in the upstream and midstream to inform decisions
and produce regular updates for advocacy purposes.

Policy environment for pastoralists rangelands

management in Lokok sub-catchment

These policy documents highlight two critical messages that,

if taken into account, would significantly reorient rangelands
management and development policies in Africa. The first is
that mobility in pastoral production systems and rangeland
health are ecologically inseparable and inherently sustainable,
particularly in the face of climate change. This implies that
any rangelands management and development policy should
be built around the need to support mobile pastoralism and
increase its viability.
The second message is that investments for development
interventions should stop concentrating on serving the interests
of external investors and the global market and instead focus
on existing, local production and livelihood systems thereby
acknowledging pastoralisms significant comparative advantage
over other economic activities in the rangelands (Saverio &
Hesse, 2010).
Pan African and Regional policies present Lokok subcatchments rangelands management practices and rangelands
health with a clear argument that, the interests of primary
users of the rangelands must be taken into due consideration
as regards how they manage and derive their livelihoods in a
sustainable way from the rangelands.
Partners should work closely with the state to influence the
inclusion of these considerations in the development or review
of Livestock policies/programmes, Environment Management,
Water Management and all development policies or programmes
that regard development in Karamoja.
The concept of harmonization of policies should be adopted
also when developing Disaster Risk Management programmes
and plans for cross border disaster risks like diseases, drought
and conflict. This approach allows for better coordinated
preparedness and response (Mujuni, 2012).
Governance and decision making processes: Traditional
governance and customary decision making processes have
shaped the way rangelands are managed in the Lokok subcatchment. Hence it is essential to bridge the local structures
with political and government administration in setting and
implementing environmental and rangelands regulations.

This briefing note was prepared and technically facilitated by IUCN-International Union for Conservation of Nature, with financial support from the European Commission
for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) through Action Against Hunger (ACF) and in collaboration with the Directorate of Water Resources Management (DWRM)