Mining rush threatens stability in Uganda’s Karamoja

Significance

However, the highly militarised approach has left almost no room for dialogue with local communities and a new wave of armed violence has emerged, raising questions about the efficacy of forced disarmament campaigns and the role of mining in violent conflict in the region.

Impacts

• Karamoja communities risk losing more grasslands and waterpoints to investors and pollution.
• Mining activities will likely have serious long-term environmental impacts, undermining poverty reduction efforts.
• Poorly regulated trading practices expose local communities to exploitation and make it difficult to curb sales of stolen cattle.