KARAMOJA, Uganda – A new study reveals that drought in the Karamoja Cross-border Area of Uganda severely disrupts the region’s socio-economic dynamics.
Pastoralism, the primary economic activity, relies heavily on water and pasture availability. However, prolonged droughts lead to the loss of livestock, with mortality rates surging during drought periods.
When there is reduced rainfall and erratic weather, crops fail, resulting in food shortages and loss of income for farmers. Pastoral communities also suffer as water and forage resources become scarce, forcing them to migrate in search of suitable grazing lands for their livestock.
The report dubbed “Drought Risk Profile for Karamoja Cross-Border Area” shows that, for instance, during the 2010-2011 drought, livestock mortality in some areas of Karamoja was as high as 20%.
“The loss of livestock translates into significant economic loss, as livestock are the main source of income (FAO, 2016). Unfortunately, this movement often leads to conflicts over limited resources, further worsening an already fragile socio-economic situation,” the report reads in part.
Drought-induced food insecurity is a recurring challenge in the region. Insufficient rainfall leads to decreased agricultural productivity, disrupting food production cycles and exacerbating existing food shortages. Limited access to food worsens malnutrition rates, especially among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
“Therefore, addressing the root causes of food insecurity, including building drought resilience and promoting sustainable rangeland management and agricultural practices, is crucial for ensuring the well-being of the population,” the report further reads.
Why IGAD reported on the Drought Risk Profile for the Karamoja Cross-Border Area
Access to clean and reliable water sources in this region, characterised by a plateau and a series of volcanic mountains, is already limited. Reduced rainfall diminishes surface water availability, making it difficult for communities to meet their drinking, sanitation, and hygiene needs.
The report, which aims to strengthen the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) in a bid to increase drought resilience in the Horn of Africa region, also shows that water scarcity increases the risk of waterborne diseases and sanitation-related illnesses, further compromising public health outcomes.
“Additionally, deforestation, mining, degradation of water catchment, land use, land cover changes, and overgrazing have exacerbated the likelihood of and impact from floods and droughts. These conditions contribute to water scarcity and pollution, which limit water for drinking, livestock, agriculture, and other uses,” the report adds.
Moreover, drought contributes to environmental degradation in the cross-border area, exacerbating soil erosion, desertification, and loss of biodiversity. Reduced vegetation cover and land degradation diminish ecosystem services, including soil fertility and water retention capacity.
“Furthermore, drought-induced resource scarcity often escalates inter-communal conflicts and triggers forced migration in the Karamoja Cross-border Area. Competition over dwindling water and pasture resources can increase tensions between pastoral communities, leading to conflicts over grazing lands and water points,” reads the report.
Additionally, prolonged droughts force people to migrate in search of alternative livelihood opportunities, putting pressure on host communities and straining existing social networks.
Another Report by FEWS Net indicates that droughts directly impact food security and nutrition in the Karamoja Cross-border Area. Recurrent droughts lead to crop failure, reducing the availability of food.
How the 2017 drought dealt a blow to residents of the Karamoja Cross-border Area
The 2017 drought saw a 70% reduction in maize and sorghum production in the region (FEWS Net, 2017; Nakalembe, 2018). Food scarcity and lack of dietary diversity led to malnutrition.
According to UNICEF, in 2020, nearly 30% of children under five in Karamoja were acutely malnourished during a severe drought period (UNICEF, 2020). Drought exacerbates environmental degradation, impacting the region’s resilience to future climate events.
Prolonged droughts depleted water sources such as wells and underground aquifers, leading to water scarcity. Overgrazing and lack of vegetation cover during droughts lead to soil erosion and land degradation, reducing the land’s productivity and increasing desertification risks.
Health outcomes are significantly affected by drought conditions. Reduced water availability forces communities to use contaminated water sources, increasing the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea.
“The stress and uncertainty caused by prolonged droughts contribute to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, among the affected populations. Various strategies have been employed to mitigate the impact of drought in the Karamoja Cross-border Area,” shows the 68-page report.
Programs encouraging the diversification of income sources, such as crop farming, agro-pastoralism, and small-scale trade, help reduce reliance on pastoralism alone. Efforts to improve water harvesting, storage, and management are critical. For example, the construction of dams and water pans has been initiated to ensure water availability during dry periods.
What is the main cause of environmental degradation in the Karamoja Cross-border Area
Human-induced factors, such as poverty, limited infrastructure, and political instability, further compound the effects of drought by reducing community resilience and adaptive capacity.
The report further indicates that environmental degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable land use has compromised the region’s ability to retain water, worsening the impact of dry spells. The impact of these recurring droughts is profound and multidimensional, affecting water availability, food security, livestock productivity, and public health (USAID, 2018; 2017).
“Water scarcity not only disrupts daily life but also fuels migration and competition over dwindling resources, leading to inter-communal conflict,” the report from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) shows.
Agricultural yields decline during drought, causing sharp rises in food insecurity and severely affecting income sources. Livestock losses during drought periods are substantial, undermining the primary livelihood for pastoralist communities and causing long-term economic strain.
The dynamics of the severe droughts in the region illustrate the harsh reality of climate stress in the Karamoja Cross-border Area. Each drought brought widespread disruption, from the severe food insecurity and displacement of 1984 to the livestock losses of 2000 and the prolonged dry spells and intense heat of 2022, a manifestation of accelerating climate change.
These events have left lasting impacts on livelihoods, resilience, and adaptive capacity. Moreover, this drought risk profile for the Karamoja Cross-border Area highlights to increase understanding of the various components of drought risk and provides policy recommendations for responding to the identified risks.
According to IGAD, during the time of access, there were 10 entries for drought in Uganda in the database. All 10 records were for droughts in the Karamoja region.
