Extent of Karimojong Community Livelihood Outcomes Attributed to Wildlife Conservation at Kidepo Valley National Park, Northeastern Uganda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ajes.2695Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the livelihood outcomes attributed to wildlife conservation among the Karimojong communities living around Kidepo Valley National Park (KVNP) in Northeastern Uganda. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) explored how wildlife conservation affects community activities, assets, and capabilities in the context of pastoralist livelihood outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was employed to assess conservation-linked livelihood outcomes among the Karimojong community. The quantitative component included surveys with 243 residents from indigenous Karimojong households near Kidepo Valley National Park. The qualitative component involved five focus group discussions with Local Council Committee members from five villages. Additionally, five key informant interviews were conducted with the Parish Priest, Agriculture and Production Officer, Senior Warden Officer, Senior Environmental Officer, and the District Local Council Vice Chairperson. This mixed-methods approach enabled triangulation of community perceptions and lived experiences related to wildlife conservation.
Findings: Quantitative results showed that capabilities scored highest, indicating growing awareness and latent agency among the Karimojong, despite systemic exclusion from decision-making. Assets followed, reflecting partial recognition of cultural and ecological values, while activities scored lowest, revealing widespread dissatisfaction with conservation-linked livelihood initiatives. Qualitative narratives revealed land pressure, loss of artistic practices, and exclusion from benefits, suggesting that rising awareness has not yet translated into genuine empowerment.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study highlights a critical gap in conservation policy: The under recognition of intangible assets and the failure to co-develop culturally and ecologically appropriate activities. It contributes to the literature by integrating cultural identity and spiritual loss into the SLF analysis and offering concrete policy insights for more inclusive, community-led conservation.
Downloads
References
Abukari, H., & Mwalyosi, R. B. (2020). Local communities’ perceptions about the impact of protected areas on livelihoods and community development. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 22(2), 1311–1331.
Ahebwa, W. M., & Duim, R. V. (2013). Tourism revenue sharing policy at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: A policy arrangements approach. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(2), 256–276.
Ahebwa, W. M., & Van der Duim, R. (2012). The governance of tourism revenue sharing policy in Uganda’s national parks. Tourism Review International, 16(1), 1-15.
Barrow, E., & Murphree, M. (2001). Community conservation: From concept to practice. In D. Hulme & M. Murphree (Eds.), African wildlife and livelihoods: The promise and performance of community conservation (pp. 24-37). James Currey.
Boyd, C., Blench, R., Bourn, D., Drake, L., & Stevenson, P. (1999). Reconciling pastoral livelihoods and wildlife conservation: Options for land use and conflict resolution in Eastern Africa. Natural Resource Perspectives, 45, 1–6.
Büscher, B., & Dressler, W. (2012). Commodity conservation: The restructuring of community conservation in South Africa and the Philippines. Geoforum, 43(3), 367-376.
Chhetri, P., Chhetri, B., Thapa, B., & Sharma, R. (2003). Tourism, conservation and livelihood linkages: A case study of Ghalegaon and Ghanpokhara village tourism, Nepal. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11(2-3), 264-280.
Coupe, S., Gorman, M., Hill, C., & Simons, G. (2002). Land use, tenure and conservation: Community-based natural resource management in Namibia and Botswana. Evaluating Eden Series, 6, 1-56.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Dickman, A. J. (2010). Complexities of conflict: The importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human wildlife conflict. Animal Conservation, 13(5), 458-466.
Eilu, G., & Okia, R. (2022). Indigenous knowledge and wildlife conservation among the Karimojong. African Journal of Ecology, 60(4), 831-839.
Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving integration in mixed methods designs: Principles and practices. Health Services Research, 48(6pt2), 2134-2156.
Fink, A. (2024). How to conduct surveys: A step-by-step guide. SAGE Publications.
Florah, B., Gershom, N., & Merab, W. (2022). Militarization of conservation and local resistance: A case study of Kidepo Valley. Journal of Environmental Justice, 14(3), 144-159.
Galvin, K. A. (2009). Transitions: Pastoralists living with change. Annual Review of Anthropology, 38, 185-198.
Gbedomon, R. C., Fandohan, B., Salako, V. K., Idohou, R., Kakai, R. G., & Sinsin, B. (2021). Applying the sustainable livelihoods framework to understand how agrobiodiversity supports rural livelihoods in West Africa. Land Use Policy, 104, 105383.
Goodman, P. S. (2002). Can community-based tourism deliver “benefits beyond profits”? Tourism Management, 23(4), 453-460.
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59-82.
Himmelfarb, D. (2007). Moving people, moving boundaries: The socio-economic effects of protectionist conservation, involuntary resettlement and tenure insecurity in Western Uganda. Agriculture and Human Values, 23(4), 345-357.
Homewood, K., Kristjanson, P., & Trench, P. C. (2012). Staying Maasai? Livelihoods, conservation and development in East African rangelands. Springer.
Jjingo, P. A. (2018). Indigenous knowledge systems and biodiversity conservation in Uganda. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies, 13(1), 47-62.
Jjingo, P. A., & Iddi, R. S. (2022). Traditional ecological knowledge and park management in northeastern Uganda. Eastern African Social Science Research Review, 38(2), 112-130.
Knighton, B. (2005). The vitality of Karamojong religion: Dying tradition or living faith? Ashgate.
Lesorogol, C. K., & Lesorogol, J. K. (2024). Cultural sustainability and land alienation: The future of pastoralism in Kenya. Pastoralism, 14(1), 1-15.
MOES. (2022). Annual education sector performance report. Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda.
Munanura, I. E., Backman, K. F., Hallo, J. C., & Powell, R. B. (2016). Perceptions of tourism revenue sharing impacts on Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda: A sustainable livelihoods framework. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(12), 1709-1726.
Nampindo, S., Plumptre, A. J., & Kujirakwinja, D. (2022). Pastoralism and protected areas in Uganda: Challenges and opportunities. Parks, 28(1), 61-72.
Nikolakis, W., & Grafton, R. Q. (2015). Putting Indigenous water rights to work: The sustainable livelihoods framework as a lens for economic development. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 56(1), 108-122.
Okech, R. N. (2011). Wildlife-community conflicts in conservation areas in Kenya. African Journal of Conflict Resolution, 11(2), 135-154.
Pretty, J., & Smith, D. (2004). Social capital in biodiversity conservation and management. Conservation Biology, 18(3), 631-638.
Rahimovna, S. M., & Mujadidi, S. A. (2023). Indigenous resistance and ecological justice: Lessons from Africa. Global Journal of Indigenous Studies, 2(1), 89-106.
Roe, D., Nelson, F., & Sandbrook, C. (2009). Community management of natural resources in Africa: Impacts, experiences and future directions. IIED.
UNEB. (2023). National Assessment of Learner Achievement in Conflict-Prone Areas. Uganda National Examinations Board.
Vedeld, P., Jumane, A., Wapalila, G., & Songorwa, A. (2016). Protected areas, poverty and conflicts: A livelihood case study of Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. Forest Policy and Economics, 60, 1-9.
West, P., Igoe, J., & Brockington, D. (2006). Parks and peoples: The social impact of protected areas. Annual Review of Anthropology, 35, 251-277.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sr Lucy Chegem Lolem, Dr Vallance Ngabo, Dr Viola N Nyakato
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
