Contributing approach of the principles of Circular Economy as a tool for fostering sustainable peace and conflict resolution in Karamoja region, Uganda.

Hans-Armel Nogbou,

nogbouhans@gmail.com; +256 780396284

Society of Missionaries of Africa

Abstract:

Karamoja, a region in northeastern Uganda, has been plagued by cycles of conflict primarily driven by resource scarcity, poverty, and socio-economic marginalization. The traditional linear economy, characterized by the “take-use-dispose” model, exacerbates these challenges by depleting resources and heightening competition among communities. Furthermore, the traditional mechanisms for justice and conflict resolution are still struggling to cope with the present level of conflicts. Environmental change and armed conflict remain part of the major challenges of the 21st century. Meanwhile, scholars and practitioners increasingly recognize the environment and natural resources as not only sources of conflict and violence but also as potential means for peacebuilding. While research on both fronts is rapidly progressing, the literature on the climate–conflict nexus and environmental peacebuilding has remained disconnected. This paper explores the potential of the circular economy focusing on its three key principles— eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials at their highest value and regenerating natural system —as a transformative approach for fostering sustainable peace and conflict resolution in Karamoja region as well as to create economic opportunities, alleviate resource pressures, and build resilient communities, thereby addressing the root causes of conflict in the region.

Keywords: Circular Economy; Conflict resolution; Sustainable Peace; peace-building; Karamoja; social cohesion.

1-     Introduction

Karamoja is a region in northeastern Uganda, predominantly inhabited by the Karimojong indigenous people, who rely on pastoralism and agro-pastoralism for their livelihoods. The region faces significant socio-economic and environmental challenges, including high levels of poverty, food insecurity, and climate variability. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 2021), over 61% of Karamoja’s population lives in absolute poverty, making it one of the poorest regions in the country. Additionally, food insecurity remains a critical issue, with nearly 70% of households experiencing some form of food scarcity annually (World Food Programme (WFP), 2022). These factors contribute to resource-based conflicts, particularly disputes over land, water, and livestock.

The Karamoja region has historically suffered from marginalization, underdevelopment, and environmental degradation. The lack of sustainable economic opportunities has fueled a cycle of conflict, particularly over natural resources. Cattle raiding, land disputes, and access to water points have remained persistent challenges, exacerbated by climate change and shifting rainfall patterns. Karamoja experiences an average annual rainfall of 500-800mm, which is significantly lower than the national average of 1,200mm, further intensifying resource scarcity (UNDP, 2023). The combination of environmental stressors and socio-economic hardships has made it imperative to explore new strategies for conflict resolution beyond traditional mediation efforts.

The circular economy (CE) offers an alternative framework that could help address the root causes of conflict in Karamoja. By promoting resource efficiency, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental regeneration, CE has the potential to transform conflict-prone areas into hubs of innovation and resilience. This study examines how CE principles can be adapted to Karamoja’s unique socio-economic and environmental context to foster long-term peace.

The existing literature on conflict resolution in Karamoja primarily focuses on security interventions, disarmament programs, and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. However, these approaches often fail to address the structural drivers of conflict, such as economic marginalization and resource depletion. Unlike conventional peacebuilding efforts, the CE model emphasizes sustainable economic practices that enhance resource availability and minimize competition among communities. By reducing dependence on extractive industries and promoting regenerative systems, CE can help build a more stable and self-sufficient economy in Karamoja.

The research question guiding this study is: How can circular economy principles be applied to promote sustainable peace and conflict resolution in Karamoja? To address this question, this paper adopts a structured methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative analysis, leveraging both primary data from community engagement and secondary sources from existing literature. The study’s participatory approach ensures that findings are grounded in local realities and reflect the lived experiences of the Karamoja communities.

Furthermore, this study highlights the role of CE in promoting social cohesion and cooperation. By encouraging collaborative resource management, CE can reduce inter-community tensions and provide sustainable solutions for economic and environmental challenges. Case studies from other regions implementing CE principles indicate that circular economies can significantly reduce socio-economic disparities and promote equitable resource distribution.

2-     Understanding the Circular Economy (CE)

The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that aims to minimize waste and make the most of resources by creating closed-loop systems where materials and products are continuously reused, repaired, and recycled (European Parliament, 2023). Unlike the traditional linear economy, which depletes resources and generates waste, the circular economy is a system here materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. The CE seeks to maintain the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible.

The circular economy is based on three principles driven by:

• Eliminate waste and pollution: this principle emphasizes on the plan of how to manufacture and to design products which can be reused, repaired and recycled at the end of their lifecycle in order to minimize waste production. It is an open door for a wide range of innovative approaches where people would not focus only on the functional and aesthetical appearance of the products but also on the ecological and environmental aspect of those products. They should therefore make more use of the renewable materials in designing and manufacturing products in order to reduce waste generation and their environmental footprint while enhancing resource efficiency. Using the renewable materials in businesses or industries helps to mitigate pollution and minimize the release of harmful particles into the environment. The principle of eliminate waste and pollution should be a joint effort between policymakers, consumers and industrial companies in manufacturing reusable goods.
• Circulate products and materials at their highest value: emphasizes the importance of extending the lifespan of products and materials instead of discarding after a single use, this is particularly pertinent for materials and resources such as food and packaging, which can cause huge amounts of waste without appropriate resource recovery processes (Taylor, L., 2020). A circular approach seeks to maximize the utility of those products through remanufacturing, repurposing, and sharing. However, to achieve that important, consumer’s behavior plays a crucial role by embracing the repair culture, prioritize durable goods, and participate in product-sharing initiatives.
• Regenerating natural system: underscores the interconnectedness between economic activities and the natural environment. It emphasizes the need to regenerate and restore ecosystems to ensure long-term sustainability. In practice, this may be done in investing in technologies or processes that restore soil health, clean water, and air quality through businesses operations. As well as partnering with organizations to work towards reforestation, agro-forestry, sustainable land management practices, and conservation of ecosystem among others. The idea is that by regenerating natural systems, we can ensure the continuous availability of essential resources the life of communities.

These principles can be adapted to various contexts, including conflict-prone regions like Karamoja, where resource scarcity and environmental degradation are key drivers of conflict.

3-     Understanding the Socio-economic context of Karamoja: conflicts and resource scarcity

Karamoja Cluster encompasses the land along the border that runs for approximately 8 382 km in the region that straddles the southwestern parts of Ethiopia, northwestern Kenya, southeastern parts of South Sudan and northeastern Uganda (FAO, IGAD, Inetrpeace, 2023). This cluster is inhabited with a population of approximately 4.5Million people (FAO, 2022). The land in this region is characterized by aridity and climate variability which has become increasingly unpredictable as a result of the impacts of climate change. The situation is compounded by challenges associated with population increase and the spread of land uses that are incompatible with livestock production, which exert pressure on the rangelands, leading to overgrazing, depletion of the surface water table and degradation of rangeland resources, which undermine pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. Livestock keeping is the main land use, livelihoods and production system in the Karamoja. Livestock keeping informs the economic, political and sociocultural organization of communities, shapes the economic prospects of the region and defines and shapes governance and management of land and natural resources, as well as relations between communities within and across national borders (Upton, M, 2004)

Karamoja region is characterized by three distinct livelihood systems, namely: agricultural, pastoral, and agro-pastoral (USAID, 2017). Predominantly inhabited by agro-pastoral communities who rely heavily on livestock and natural resources for their livelihoods. The region’s semi-arid climate, characterized by erratic rainfall and frequent droughts, exacerbates the competition for scarce resources such as water and grazing land. The traditional economy in Karamoja is largely linear, with limited mechanisms for resource conservation, leading to environmental degradation and escalating tensions over resource access.

The conflict in Karamoja is multi-faceted however, the two major causes of conflict in the Karamoja cluster are competition for access to pasture and water, and cattle rustling. The key drivers of conflict include climate change, unemployment, insecurity of communal land tenure, the limited reach of government and poor enforcement of the rule of law, persistence of cultural attitudes and practices that glorify violence, commercialization of cattle rustling involving struggles between pastoralists and agriculturalists (FAO, IGAD, Inetrpeace, 2023). These conflicts are deeply rooted in the region’s socio-economic fabric and are exacerbated by poverty, marginalization, and weak governance structures and simmering interstate border disputes. The lack of sustainable economic opportunities has driven communities to engage in violent conflict as a means of survival, perpetuating a cycle of violence and underdevelopment.

4-     Applying the CE’s principles to conflict resolution in Karamoja

Circular economy, aims to minimize waste and promote a sustainable use of natural resources, through smarter product design, longer use, recycling as well as regenerate nature. Besides helping tackle the problem of pollution, circular economy can play a critical role in solving other complex challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss (UNDP, 2023) and provides a framework for addressing the root causes of conflict and foster peacebuilding in unstable regions like Karamoja. By applying the principles of eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials at their highest value and regenerating natural system into local practices, the circular economy can help to alleviate resource pressures, create economic opportunities, and foster social cohesion.

4.1– Eliminate waste and pollution: Minimizing Resource Use and Waste

In Karamoja, the concept of minimizing resource use and waste can be applied to several areas, including water management, land use, and livestock management.

• Water Management: Implementing water-saving technologies and practices, such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and water recycling, can reduce the demand for water and mitigate conflicts over water resources. By optimizing water use, communities can enhance their resilience to droughts and reduce the migration towards other territories which increases the likelihood of water-related disputes. Having enough water in their kraal and villages, the pastoralists won’t move further because they will have the important resource in their place. Thus, the conflict over water resources would have reduce.
• Sustainable Land Use: Promoting sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and rotational grazing, can reduce land degradation and enhance soil fertility. These practices not only increase agricultural productivity but also reduce the competition for arable land, as well as grazing areas which is a common source of conflict in Karamoja.
• Livestock Management: Reducing the size of livestock herds to sustainable levels can alleviate pressure on grazing land and water resources. Because, poorly managed, grazing is destructive to the forest and can degrade grassland, as result, pastoralists need to push deeper into the natural habitat to find grazing areas(Collison, D, 2023). The livestock management can be achieved through programs that encourage alternative livelihoods, such as beekeeping as what is promoted in Tapac Sub-County among the Tepeth community, poultry farming, and small-scale enterprises, which reduce dependence on large herds of cattle.

4.2- Circulate product and materials at their highest value: Extending the Lifespan of Resources

The principle of circulate product and materials can be particularly impactful in Karamoja, where access to new resources and materials is often limited. By extending the lifespan of existing resources, communities can reduce their reliance on new inputs and decrease the likelihood of resource-driven conflicts.

• Repair and Maintenance: Establishing community-based repair and maintenance centers can help extend the lifespan of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, reducing the need for new resources. These centers can also serve as hubs for skills training and employment, contributing to economic development and social stability.
• Repurposing Materials: Encouraging the repurposing of materials, such as using old tires for building and making shoes or converting waste materials into useful products such as used plastics bottles into beads and also pavers, as well as used tyres recycle and transformed into shoes. These initiatives can reduce waste and create new economic opportunities. This approach not only conserves resources but also fosters innovation and creativity within communities. It offers employment in a region classified as one of the world’s poorest areas, with high rates of malnutrition and where people are living in absolute poverty.
• Resource Sharing: Developing systems for sharing resources, such as communal water points, grazing areas, and agricultural equipment, can reduce competition and promote cooperation among communities. Resource-sharing initiatives can be formalized through local governance structures, NGOs as well as FBOs and CBOs helping to build trust and social cohesion.

4.3. Regenerating natural system: Turning Waste into Resources

Regenerating natural system plays a crucial role in the circular economy by converting waste materials into new products, thereby reducing the need for raw materials and minimizing environmental impact. In Karamoja, land degradation and climate shocks have intensified competition for grazing areas and water. Practices such as composting organic waste, using biochar to enrich soils, and restoring degraded rangelands can regenerate ecosystems and restore productive landscapes. Regenerating natural systems in Karamoja helps alleviate resource-related tensions among pastoralists and farmers, reducing violent clashes and encouraging cooperative land use practices.

• Agricultural Waste Recycling: Recycling agricultural waste, such as crop residues and animal manure, into compost and biogas can enhance soil fertility and provide alternative energy sources. It can be implemented through the establishment of smart farms and kraals in the region. Thus reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and firewood, which are often sources of conflict in Karamoja. Having their smart farms and kraal, the pastoralist communities will be reusing the waste produced as resources and therefore, they will no longer be moving and crossing into other territories looking for greener pastures. For instance, after the rainy season, the grass, and residues of maize, sorghum, can be collected and stored in order to feed the livestock for the next few months (J.F. Els; P.T Jessen and H. Von Seydlitz, 1999). This will help in reducing movements for sometimes which will equally reduce the spiral of violence in a given area. By applying this it will also contribute to regenerate the environment and the ecosystem because the agro-pastoralists communities of Karamoja will take care of their surrounding environment (gardens and kraals), even the cow dung will be reused as manure and also as building materials.
• Recycling Plastic and Metal Waste: Establishing recycling centers for plastic and metal waste can reduce environmental pollution and create economic opportunities for local communities. These centers can produce items such as building materials, fencing, and household goods, which can be sold or used locally. For example the initiative taken in Tapac parish to transform plastic waste into pavers. Such initiatives should be encouraged and supported in increasing the capacity of plastic waste recycling and transformation because this initiative is the first of its kind in the whole region of Karamoja. It helps in protecting the environment as well as contribute for the socio-economic development of the local population. If supported, it can create employment for the youth and become a pole of skill development and a center for recycling innovation. The plastic waste found everywhere in Karamoja, will no longer be a mere waste but a source of income and livelihood for many families in the region. It will also be a resource for industries and a source of innovation for creators. Looking at the rapid urbanization of some district such as Napak, Nakapiripirit and Moroto, the transformation of the plastic and metal waste into building materials as well as decorative items will have a big impact on the social, economic development of the region.
• Building Circular Supply Chains: Creating circular supply chains that integrate recycling into the production process can reduce the demand for new raw materials and lower the environmental footprint of local industries. For example, a circular supply chain for livestock products could involve recycling animal by-products into feed, fertilizer, or bioenergy, reducing waste and creating additional revenue streams.

5-     Benefits of using the principles of Circular Economy for peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Karamoja

The adoption of a circular economy in Karamoja can yield multiple benefits for peacebuilding and conflict resolution. These benefits include:

• Economic Resilience: By creating new economic opportunities and reducing dependence on finite resources, the circular economy can help to diversify livelihoods and enhance economic resilience. This reduces the likelihood of resource-driven conflicts and provides communities with alternative means of sustenance. It will in the order hand reduce the percentage of youth unemployment in the region because so many new innovative activities will blossom for instance art and handcraft shop will increase, manufacture industries will be open transforming waste into resources. These initiatives will provide direct and indirect job for many people that will reduce poverty and strengthen the local economy.
• Environmental Sustainability: The circular economy promotes the sustainable use of resources, reducing environmental degradation and preserving the natural resource base for future generations. This can mitigate the environmental drivers of conflict, such as land degradation and water scarcity. The environmental sustainability provides as well the idea for developing the initiative of smart kraal, the creation of water reservoirs in communities. It equally educate the population on techniques and methods of environmental protection and conservation. This is a holistic knowledge of the use of natural resources in order to benefit the next generation.
• Social, Governance and Capacity Building: The circular economy requires strong social and governance structures and community participation to be effective. By building local capacity and involving communities in decision-making processes, the circular economy can enhance governance and empower communities to manage their resources sustainably. In Karamoja region where people are very rooted in their cultural practices and mindset of obedience to the elders, a good collaboration between government representatives, development partners, local leaders and community Elders is very important to build community capacity on the understanding of the Circular economy principles in order to own the idea and put it into practices. By promoting cooperation and resource-sharing, the circular economy can strengthen social ties and build trust among communities. This fosters a sense of collective responsibility and stewardship and reduces the likelihood of violent conflict. Indeed, in a region prone to conflicts over resources and with a high level of poverty, resource sharing, innovation in recycling waste organic and non-organic waste, will provide job opportunities which will reduce poverty. The reduction of poverty will build a feeling of security, confidence and trust among communities. The establishment of smart farm and kraal in the communities will help the pastoralist communities to take care of their livestock and garden instead of thinking and planning for raid and invading other land. The implementation of the principles of C.E will therefore help in creating a social cohesion among communities and people of Karamoja.

6-     Challenges and consideration in applying the CE’s principles in conflict resolution and Peacebuilding in Karamoja

As explained by Chris Chapman and Alexander Kagaha, (2009), the formal state mechanisms for justice and conflict resolution are not adequately implanted in the Karamoja regions. They struggle to cope with the present level of conflicts. Although the C.E offers significant potential for conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Karamoja, several challenges must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation:

• Cultural and Behavioral Change: Shifting from a linear to a circular economy requires significant changes in cultural practices and mindsets. This can be challenging in a region where traditional practices are deeply ingrained, and there may be resistance to adopting new approaches.
• Infrastructure and Technology: The successful implementation of a circular economy depends on access to appropriate infrastructure and technology, such as recycling facilities, repair centers, and water-saving technologies such as water pan, dam in so forth. In Karamoja, where infrastructure is often lacking, significant investments may be required to build the necessary capacity.
• Policy and Regulation: Effective policies and regulations are needed to support the transition to a circular economy, including incentives for sustainable practices, regulations on waste management, and support for alternative livelihoods. The government and local authorities, civil society and development partners must play a key role in creating an enabling environment for the circular economy.
• Conflict Sensitivity: The implementation of circular economy initiatives must be conflict-sensitive, ensuring that they do not exacerbate existing tensions or create new sources of conflict. This requires a careful planning, community consultation, and monitoring to identify and address potential risks.

7-     Conclusion

The circular economy presents a promising framework for addressing the complex challenges of conflicts in Karamoja. Its principles offer a transformative pathway towards fostering social peace and sustainable security in Karamoja, Uganda. By reimagining resource use, promoting local empowerment, and nurturing environmental stewardship, the Circular Economy can address the region’s pressing challenges while unlocking its vast potential. However, realizing the full benefits of the Circular Economy requires collaborative efforts from governments, civil societies, and the engagement of private sectors to create and enabling environment for innovations, investments, and inclusive growth. Through collective action and shared vision, Karamoja can embark on a journey towards a more prosperous, resilient, and peaceful future.

References

Chapman, C. & Kagaha, A. (2009). Resolving conflicts using traditional mechanisms in the Karamoja and Teso regions of Uganda. Briefing, 1.

climate-diplomacy.org. (2018). Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://climate-diplomacy.org: https://climate-diplomacy.org

Collison, D. (2023). Five Steps to Reducing Livestock’s Impact on the Environment. Farming First.

European Parliament. (2023, May 24). europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from europarl.europa.eu: https://www.europarl.europa.eu

FAO. (2022). Making way: developing national legal and policy frameworks for pastoral mobility. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines. Rome: FAO.

FAO, IGAD, Inetrpeace. (2023). Conflict, climate change, food security and mobility in the Karamoja Cluster: A study to analyse interactions among conflict, food security, climate change, migration and displacement factors. Rome: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Authority on Development and Interpeace Eastern and Central Africa.

J.F. Els; P.T Jessen and H. Von Seydlitz. (1999). STRATEGIES FOR DRY SEASON FEEDING OF ANIMALS IN Central and Southern Africa. Proceedings of a joint ZSAP/FAO Workshop held in Harare, Zimbabwe, 25th – 27th October 1999. Harare: FAO.

Kidepo valley national park. (2024). kideponationalpark.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.kideponationalpark.com

Sändig, J., Dalmer, N., Ide, T., & Vogler, A. (2024). From climate conflicts to environmental peacebuilding: Exploring local dimensions. Environment and Security, 2(1), 3-20. doi:https://doi/10.1177/27538796241231090

Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). (2021). 2021 Statistical Abstract. Kampala: Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

UNDP. (2023, April 24). UNDP Global Climate promise. Retrieved from climatepromise.undp.org: https://climatepromise.undp.org

UNFPA. (2018). Population Matter: Leaving no one behind in Laramoja. United Nation Population Fund.

Upton, M. (2004). The role of livestock in economic development and poverty reduction. FAO.

USAID. (2017). Country Specific Information (CSI): Karamoja, Uganda, U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Food for Peace Fiscal Year 2017. USAID.

World Food Programme (WFP). (2022). A global food crisis. Rome: WFP.