One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Pastoralist Researchers on the Uganda/Kenya Border

Abstract

This document is a history of events affecting peace and security month by month between October 2022 and May 2023 on the Ugandan-Kenya border, and a diary of community research. The learning presented is the property of the communities from which it came, and its use and accreditation is theirs.

Over eight months we have been researching the insecurity faced by communities. The research gave community leaders evidence on why pastoralists continue to carry guns and what they are protecting themselves from. Analysis shows clearly that conflicts between communities are a symptom of a deeper problem, and the solution does not lie with addressing conflicts alone. The problems found are about crime, revenge, and failures of government. Solving crime by using harsh disarmament is not working, it is only fuelling the fear and insecurity. It seems as if the government doesn’t want us to be at peace. It looks like our peace will be interfering with their peace.

A link to the interactive version of the report is available in the ‘More details’ field below.