Climate change clash in Africa

Violent cattle raids are a traditional method of restocking herds among pastoral groups. However, the death count has spiraled since sticks and spears were replaced by AK-47s as the weapon of choice beginning in the late 1970s.

A well-established small-arms trade has sprung out of the regional insecurity, with guns flowing in from neighboring Sudan and Somalia. All this means Karamoja is well stocked with weapons and prices are falling: in the 1970s, a gun cost 60-150 cows, by 2004 it had fallen as low as two cows (roughly $100).

The government estimates that there are up to 40,000 weapons in Karamoja – one for every 24 people – and violent struggles are common. During the first six months of this year, 568 people died violently in Karamoja, many more were injured.

Uganda is in the process of disarming the tribal warriors, but on Oct. 29, an attempted cordon-and-search operation went wrong. At least 27 people were killed in a shootout, 16 of the dead were Ugandan soldiers who had faced tribesmen as well-armed as themselves. One week later, the army alleges that tribesmen shot at a helicopter gunship, which responded by bombing a Karimojong village and killing at least a dozen people.

Still, government officials claim success, saying that this round of disarmament has secured 4,500 guns in only six months. But local people complain that the Army simply disarms one group then moves on, leaving a security vacuum. Mark Apalia, a 25-year-old Karimojong man, says: "I was disarmed last year and since then cattle thieves came in the night and I can do nothing."

This pattern is common. "After I was disarmed in 2001, raiders came and took all my cattle. Then I regretted not having a gun to defend myself," recalls Lomoto Lochuman a 48-year-old elder.

The youth – known as karachunya – are also despondent. Without guns, they see no way to get cows. Without cows, they cannot pay the dowry necessary for marriage. "Without cows where can I get a wife? Where can I go to raid without a gun?" asks 22-year-old John Angolore. "I will just be killed."

Local official Churchill Lokoroi says that the role of the Army in attempting to prevent cattle raiding by returning stolen cows to their owners has also caused problems. "The Army is seen as just another raiding party," he says.

Following the deaths of the 16 soldiers, a government minister characterized the disarmament as "war" and referred to Karimojong warriors as "enemies." Caught between a government that sees them as a problem to be solved militarily and a harsh environment that is becoming ever drier, the Karimojong face a difficult future.

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