Hot soil: resource scarcity, human security and armed conflict in Karamoja, Uganda

Does climate change contribute to armed conflict? The causal relationship between environmental resource scarcity and the outbreak of violent conflict is complex. By analysing the link between resource scarcity and violent conflict in Karamoja (Uganda), we seek to provide a multi-focal perspective on the ongoing crisis in the region. This research argues that increased vulnerability of pastoral livelihoods to risk factors and triggers is a function of the cumulative effect of poor governance, population pressure, erratic rainfall, economic marginalization and a breakdown of traditional authority. The resulting environmental degradation is a risk factor that has increased human insecurity in Karamoja. The proliferation of small arms from neighbouring countries is an additional trigger. The interaction between contextual risk factors and triggers, which is missing from many quantitative studies that deal exclusively with structural/contextual factors, is essential to understanding armed conflicts.