Water scarcity and regional security in Karamoja, Uganda

Abstract

The study examined water resource scarcity as the cause of the security challenge in the Karamoja region, Uganda. The study examined the nature of the regional security, factors that influence scarcity and the impact of water scarcity on the lives of Karimajong communities. The methodology used in the study was a systematic literature review of the secondary data. Data was attained from peer reviewed journals, on line books, papers, government and international organizations (NGOs) reports. The study was underpinned by two theories: the relative deprivation theory and the environmental resource scarcity theory. These theories image the precarious situation and the lives of the Karimajong impacted by one environmental factor: the water resource scarcity and how it has formed the nature of their livelihood. The findings indicate that water resource scarcity contributed significantly to the security challenges in the Karamoja region. That there is a water resource scarcity and conflict nexus. The findings also showed that the government policies neglected the region for a long time to the extent that service delivery became a problem. The findings therefore imply that countries which don’t invest and improve service delivery to their populations would undermine security of their regions. The government therefore should refocus her priorities and provide services needed by groups of populations to socially and economically transform them, thus underpinning tranquillity and peace.