KLEP - Karamoja Livestock Enhancement Project
Project Facts
Partners: VSF Belgium; MADEFO, DADO
Funding: DGD and VSF Belgium
Emmanuel EMARUK: [email protected]
Dethie FAYE: [email protected]
Case overview/description
The sub-region has experienced about three and half decades of civil unrest leading to low development indicators
Risks of drought that often affect specific groups of households in the sub-region
The poverty line is 56% of the population whereas the national average is 19%.
Livestock constitutes an important part of community livelihoods. Basic services like veterinary care, water accessibility are hardly adequate. Animal feeding is mainly based on natural pastures.
Pastoralist and pastoral livelihoods in Karamoja has been largely inhibited by the government in favour of sedenterization, despite ecology dictating otherwise
Specific objective: Food and economic security of agro-pastoralist communities has improved through optimization of livestock production and livelihoods diversification in eastern Uganda
Result 1 : Animal health in the intervention area is improved through local animal health services
Result 2 : Households have developed IGA due to better access to micro-credit
Result 3 : Production and market access for producer groups has improved
Result 4 : Enhanced sustainable natural resources management, and reinforced advocacy on issues affecting pastoralists
Land is customarily and mostly communally managed in Karamoja
Extensive livestock system, pastoralism, Cattle, goats, sheep & poultry
Free market, subsistence
Pastoralist communities, VSLA groups, animal husbandry groups, Livestock marketing associations, CAHWs, water users committees, hand pump mechanics, district local government . Community institutions and development trusts
Groups and associations formation and support (training, material, technical backstopping and monitoring)
Logistic, financial and material support to districts' animal health interventions
Pilot trial for improved breed and pasture
Promoting a dialogue framework for improved management and peaceful sharing of natural resources
Creation of linkages between different stakeholders
Capacity building of local partners for ownership and improved sustainability
Outcome/ Beneficiaries/ Issues
Improved animal health and increased productivity lead to increased availability of animal products and income
VSLA groups are involved on some IGAs and therefore improve their livelihoods.
VSLA methodology uptake is very high among beneficiary communities who meet regularly, save and take loan. Improved animal husbandry practices are well adopted by farmers who are looking for improved productivity in order to improve food security and generate more income. These therefore help to address social issues. Most of CAHWs are generally motivated, like the profession and see it as a source of additional income.
Livelihoods diversification will prevent destructive coping mechanisms such as charcoal burning and fuel wood
Community action plans on Natural Resources Management (e.g. grazing management) will be developed and implemented to prevent environment degradation.
The project will be engaging local authorities to develop bi-law of sustainable use of fuel wood products in the region by studying/reviewing existing laws
Reports, capitalization documents, meetings
Conflicts over natural resources use / sharing
Limited access to grazing areas due to inaccessibility of water points
Community based animal health services not being optimal
Conflict in Karamoja has been evolving from armed raids focused on theft of cattle by warring communities to resource based conflict pitting Karamojong communities against government and mining companies. With increasing livestock numbers conflict over water and pasture resources is increasingly being recorded and will escalate in the near future.
Traditional Karamojong management of natural resources