UGANDA

NORTHERN CONFLICTS
continue to have negative feelings toward the Government of Uganda, which they refer to
as ‘ariang’ (enemy). They say the word can also mean ‘violent institution’ when referring
to the Government army. The various post-independence governments have continued
to implement anti-pastoralist policies, and to deprive many communities of important
strategic land for the subsistence of the herds on which they remain dependent.
Efforts to sedentarise pastoralists, including through policies of decentralisation, have
given rise to unforeseen social disaster, and set the scene for emerging conflicts over
the allocation and use of resources. 284 The communities’ response has been manifest in
several armed attacks by Karimojong warriors on the national army, the UPDF. Members
of the Karimojong population, along with some local non-governmental organisations
have accused the UPDF of violence and human rights abuses in the region. 285 This has
created a situation of mutual mistrust between the Government and the community.
The Karimojong community acquired more weapons following the overthrow of
President Idi Amin and his army in Uganda as the result of an alliance between the
Tanzanian People’s Defence Force and Ugandan exiles in 1979. 286 One major source
284 Muhereza, F. (1999) Violence and the state in Karamoja: Causes of conflict, initiative for peace. Cultural
Survival Quarterly, 22 (4), p. 43
285 Research conducted in Nakapiripirit District
286 Maero, T. (2002) Surrender gun, win yourself land. The East African Standard [Internet], 19 May. Available
from: < http://allafrica.com/stories/200205190153.html> [Accessed 29 May 2014]
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