News
East African Pastoralist Border Communities Unite for Climate Equity and Sustainable Resource Management
By Richard Onapatum
Kaabong, Uganda—Government officials, security personnel, pastoral leaders, environmental experts, and community representatives from Uganda and Kenya on May 8, 2025 convened at Ik Seed Secondary School for the 3rd Multi-Stakeholder Cross-Border Forum. Discussions focused on climate equity, sustainable resource management, and cross-border cooperation, emphasizing the need for structured agreements on grazing land and water access to reduce tension and enhance regional stability.
The forum was held under the Climate Change Leaders Advancing for Peace (CCLAP) project, coordinated by Karamoja Peace and Development Agency (KAPDA), Sustainable Approaches for Economic Empowerment (SAPCONE), and Nakere Rural Women Activists (NARWOA), operating in consortium partnership with Mercy Corps as a prime partner.
Climate Resilience: A Regional Priority
Environmental experts stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present crisis, severely affecting pastoralist communities in East Africa. Drought cycles have become more extreme, water sources are shrinking, and grazing lands are deteriorating, pushing communities closer to resource conflicts.
African Union Climate Resilience Task Force Representative:
“Uganda and Kenya must recognize that climate change is a major security issue. Land degradation is accelerating, rivers and wells are drying up, and pastoralist economies are collapsing under the weight of unpredictable weather patterns.
“Climate security must be institutionalized in national policies. Without structured grazing agreements, reforestation efforts, and early warning systems for drought, thousands will be displaced, increasing instability across borders.”
Securing Sustainable Resource Agreements
For decades, grazing land and water disputes have fueled tensions between Karamoja and Turkana pastoralists. In response, leaders at the forum agreed to enforce policy frameworks that regulate grazing land use, water distribution, and climate adaptation.
Luka Ekeno, Community Elder, Turkana, Kenya:
“We must shift our mindset—grazing land is unlimited. We need structured agreements backed by science and local governance. Otherwise, future generations will inherit conflict instead of sustainable livelihoods.
“We must hold our leaders accountable to these agreements, ensuring that pastoralist voices are heard in decision-making at the national level.”
Infrastructure and Digital Access for Climate Equity
Government officials emphasized that poor infrastructure and limited digital connectivity significantly hinder climate resilience efforts. Without reliable internet access and mobile networks, pastoralists struggle to access climate forecasts, conservation programs, and structured grazing agreements.
Hon. Hillary Lokwang, MP for Ik County, Uganda:
“The absence of mobile network coverage in Ik County weakens climate adaptation efforts. Without connectivity, herders cannot monitor grazing conditions, access market prices for livestock, or receive alerts on extreme weather.
“Expanding digital infrastructure in pastoralist communities is a necessity, not a luxury. Connectivity empowers communities to plan ahead and adapt to environmental changes in real time.”
Security and Climate Adaptation: Insights from Turkana’s Assistant County Commissioner Julius Kavita
Security remains a critical aspect of climate adaptation for border pastoralist communities, as competition over scarce resources intensifies tensions. Assistant County Commissioner in the Deputy County Commissioner Julius Kavita emphasized that climate change cannot be separated from security challenges, urging Kenyan and Ugandan authorities to integrate climate-sensitive conflict prevention measures into national strategies.
Julius Kavita, Assistant County Commissioner, Turkana County:
“Resource scarcity leads to instability. As drought worsen, more disputes arise over water points, grazing areas, and livestock theft. We must take a proactive approach to prevent climate-driven conflicts.
“Integrated patrol units, intelligence-sharing agreements, and structured grazing frameworks will help reduce tensions between Turkana and Karamoja pastoralists.”
Kavita also called for cross-border security coordination, emphasizing that Kenyan and Ugandan forces must collaborate on climate-responsive security measures.
Restoring Ecosystems Through Community-Led Initiatives
To combat land degradation and resource scarcity, environmental experts and government officials pledged to accelerate:
- Reforestation projects to restore grazing areas
- Climate-smart agriculture programs to improve land productivity
- Large-scale land rehabilitation initiatives to protect ecosystems
Brigadier Allan Kyagungu, Deputy 3rd Division Commander, Uganda:
“Reforestation is not just about planting trees—it’s about restoring ecosystems that sustain livelihoods. We must mobilize communities to lead conservation efforts, ensuring that land recovery is a collective responsibility.
“Environmental conservation is also a security strategy. By restoring grazing lands and ensuring structured land use, we reduce the risk of conflict among pastoralists.”
Women’s Leadership in Climate Adaptation
The forum recognized that women play a crucial role in sustainable land management, yet their contributions remain largely unrecognized in formal policy discussions. Leaders emphasized the importance of women-led conservation efforts and land ownership rights.
Jesca Ruth Ataa, Executive Director, NARWOA:
“Women are central to food security, conservation, and community resilience, but they are often excluded from policy discussions. This must change.
“Government must formally support women-led climate adaptation programs, ensuring that land restoration efforts align with national environmental strategies.”
Forum Outcomes: Actionable Climate Commitments
The forum concluded with three key climate-driven implementation priorities:
- Creation of a climate resilience early warning system to assist pastoralists in adapting to extreme weather patterns.
- Formation of a community-led environmental monitoring committee consisting of local conservationists, government officials, and pastoralist representatives.
- Launch of large-scale land restoration initiatives, aligned with the Green Economy Initiative, aiming to plant one billion trees across Uganda and Kenya.
- Final Call to Action
Loduk Fidelis Logwe, Deputy RDC Kaabong:
“Climate equity must be the foundation of cross-border agreements. We cannot separate environmental stability from economic security—both must be addressed together.
“Uganda and Kenya must institutionalize structured grazing agreements that prioritize sustainability. Without long-term environmental planning, future generations will face worsening resource scarcity, forcing them into cycles of conflict and displacement. This forum marks a turning point toward climate-responsive governance.”