Analysis of the recent drought characteristics and its effects on livestock in Karamoja, Kaabong district

Abstract

The North Eastern parts of Uganda have been identified as the areas that are prone to recurring drought conditions. This study aimed at analyzing the drought characteristics between 1981 to 2021, perceptions and the effects of drought on livestock in Kaabong District. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Anomaly Index were applied on the monthly rainfall obtained from Climate Data Tools (CDT) to determine dry periods experienced over the study period. Mann Kendall trend method was applied on the calculated SPI 3 and 6 values to determine drought characteristics that is the trend, duration and intensity/severity. The questionnaire approach was also used through interview of livestock keepers so as to attain information concerning the drought perceptions and the effects of drought on livestock. Findings from the study indicate that drought occurrences are increasing due to very low SPI values observed during the past period (1981 to 2021). On top of that, results also indicate that it is true and there is no reasonable doubt that drought has severely affected livestock keepers in Kaabong District since the greatest number of livestock keepers confirmed that they have lost their livestock due to drought occurrences where 40.2% of the sampled population claimed that they lost about 10 million UGX, 33.3% claimed that they lost between 10 to 20 million UGX and 26.5% claimed that they lost over 20 million UGX due to drought occurrences. This study recommends coping techniques to be designed such as establishment of meteorological stations in the area so as to strengthen drought early warnings systems, insuring livestock keepers against drought that is through compensating them in case of a loss due to droughts, sensitization of the general republic about the importance of planting trees so as to act as rain makers, on top of that, acknowledgement of water harvesting mechanisms and construction of deeper dams that may not dry up in case of very prolonged droughts that ensure sustainable water use and also improve drought tolerance in the area.