By Richard Onapatum
In the parched and rugged lands straddling Karamoja (Uganda) and Turkana (Kenya), communities are confronting the dual crises of climate change and conflict with remarkable resilience.
Against a backdrop of scorching droughts, dwindling resources, and intercommunal tensions, local actors are forging a new path, one that connects environmental sustainability with peacebuilding.
At the center of this transformation is the Climate Change Leaders Advancing for Peace (CCLAP) project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by Mercy Corps and its partners—Nakere Rural Women Activists (NARWOA), Karamoja Peace and Development Agency (KAPDA), and Sustainable Approaches to Community Empowerment (SAPCONE).
This bold initiative tackles both climate vulnerability and local conflict drivers by empowering grassroots actors, particularly women.
During the dissemination of the Climate and Conflict Situation Report on April 3, 2025, at Moroto Resort Hotel, leaders, civil servants, and community representatives gathered to review the project’s impact and chart a path forward.
“The environment is being destroyed, and hunger continues to haunt Karamoja,” said Lonya John, Executive Director of KAPDA. He stressed the need for sustainable practices and unity, calling for a mindset shift in how resources are used and shared.
Climate change in Karamoja and Turkana is no abstract concept it is a daily threat. Erratic rains, prolonged droughts, and degraded pastures have heightened resource-based conflicts, especially among pastoralist communities. Yet, amid these trials, women are emerging as key agents of change.
Audo Susan, CCLAP Project Manager, emphasized the central role of women in transforming tension into cooperation.
“These climate changes disproportionately affect women, but through cross-border dialogues, they are transforming conflict into cooperation,” she said. Women have brokered resource-sharing agreements, mediated conflicts, and fostered peace through their unique social influence.
Jesca Ruth Ataa, Executive Director of NARWOA, advocated for direct economic empowerment. “We need to empower women by putting money directly into their pockets. When women thrive economically, communities follow suit,” she argued, also calling for the full implementation of Uganda’s National Peace Policy at the grassroots level.
From flood-resistant roads in Kotido and Kaabong to reforestation campaigns and climate-smart urban planning, local governments are investing in sustainable infrastructure.
Kaabong’s Natural Resource Officer, Lomongin Emmanuel, highlighted the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, while Esther Nakolong, Town Clerk of Kotido’s North Division, urged stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly on charcoal production.
Lt. Aisu David, Kotido District Internal Security Officer, underscored the need for collaboration. “Government resources are limited, but partnerships like CCLAP are key to bridging gaps and building lasting resilience,” he noted.
The call for unity echoed in the closing remarks of Kaabong LCV Chairman Jino Meri: “Resilience is built on peace, and peace is built on sustainability. These are not separate goals they are one and the same.”
With community-led projects showing early signs of impact ranging from disaster training to clean energy adoption hopes are high for a Phase II of CCLAP, expanding its reach across the Karamoja-Turkana border.
In these lands where survival is a daily feat, the convergence of local leadership, international support, and grassroots innovation is building more than roads or water points it is building hope. The Karamoja-Turkana experience proves that even in the harshest environments, peace and sustainability can flourish when built together.