Economic activities of the Karamojong

Economic activities of the Karamojong- karamoja

Karamoja Despite being known for rejecting modernization and sticking to their indigenous ways of life such as pastoralism which has led to underdevelopment in Karamoja region, the Karamojong carry out economic activities for survival which are mainly based on herding cattle.

They live in semi-arid areas which are prone to drought thus moving to the areas neighboring Karamoja as they search for water and pastures for their animals.

Cattle herding is the main economic activity of the Karamojong which has led to the raiding and rustling cattle from the neighboring tribes because they believe all the cattle known to them is theirs and also think that having a lot of cattle brings prestige and wealth.

Cattle rustling escalated after the collapse of Idi Amin’s regime whereby the Karamojong the army bases in their area and stole the guns. Disarmament programs by the current government have reduced the number of guns and increased security in the region.

Cattle is used to pay bride price and also acts as a source of food whereby they sever cows to get blood for eating, milk, fats to be used in preparation of food and to be used as cosmetics; skins and hides to make sandals, skirts, sleeping skins; fertilizers from the cattle droppings; bags from scrota and many other products.

Even though they keep large herds of cattle, they rarely eat meat unless it is a ceremony or an animal dies.

The Karamojong of Matheniko and Bokora make charcoal and collect firewood which are sold or exchanged in the nearby towns for food.

The semi-arid climate and low rainfall, as well as limited sources of water in karamoja, do not favor commercial farming, therefore, the Karamojong practice agriculture on a small scale at their manyattas mainly for consumption.

The crops grown include beans, sorghum, cucumbers as well as small quantities of maize and millet. Therefore there is a limited supply of food forces them to burn and sell charcoal so as to get more food.

The other economic activity in karamoja is tourism which has been boosted by the gazetting of Kidepo Valley National Park, the newly Pian Upe national park, Matheniko and Bokora Game Reserves as well as the presence of security created by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces. Safaris to these attractions will enable you to undertake excursions to the Karamojong village manyattas where you will experience their traditional ways of life, rituals, dance and their distinctive art.

Below are some of our packages to Murchison Falls National Park to take on a Uganda safari tour;

3 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari tours, 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Bwindi, 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Bwindi, 6 Days Chimpanzee safari tours & Wildlife Tour, 10 DAYS JINJA – SIPI- KIDEPO-MURCHISON SAFARI, 9 DAYS HOT SPRINGS SAFARI AND WILDLIFE SAFARI, 7 DAYS IN MURCHISON FALLS, KIBALE, AND BWINDI , 13 DAYS JINJA – QUEEN ELIZABETH AND BWINDI SAFARI , 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale and Bwindi, 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari in uganda, 17 Days Kidepo-All Uganda Safari, 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari Tour,