Dr. Ayub Mukisa: Karamoja region, treated as “a special case” with few results.  The question is: why? 

In this article, I will begin by asking a critical question: from colonial life in the 1930s to the  present day in 2025, Karamoja has been treated as a “special case”, yet progress remains minimal.  What could be the problem? Mamdani, as cited in Kabiito (2021), mentioned that in order to make  Karamoja as progressive as other regions of Uganda, various special programs were created and  implemented as early as the 1940s. For instance, in 1948, colonialists designed and launched the  Karamoja Cattle Scheme (KCS). Meyerson (2024) argued that special programs like the KCS 

during the colonial era resulted in the establishment of a meat packaging plant in Namalu, as well  as the introduction of auction days for selling thousands of livestock. However, evidence suggests  that the Namalu meat packing plant was not successful, while other programs, such as selling  livestock on auction days, were. A key issue that arises is that despite people continuously selling  livestock on auction days, they still struggle in all aspects of life. The question remains: why? 

Meyerson (2024) further explains that even after Uganda gained independence, Karamoja was  considered as a “special case” and was governed under the 1964 Karamoja Act. This Act  stipulated that instead of participating in democratic local governance like other Ugandans, the  people of Karamoja would be under the direct, control of a district administrator appointed by  the central government for at least three years. The purpose of the 1964 Act was to address the  “Karamoja problem.” 

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) government also realized that in order to bring  development to Karamoja, the “special status syndrome” was necessary. They established the  Karamoja Development Agency (KDA) by Statute 4 of 1987, which ushered in the present state led development programs in the region. KDA focused on transforming the Karimojong people by  diversifying and improving their mode of production, enhancing facilities for social services in the  region, and coordinating all developmental projects in the area (Karamoja Development Agency  Statute, 1987). However, KDA yielded frustrating results (Otim, 2004). 

Furthermore, in order to reinforce the special status syndrome in Karamoja, some technocrats  introduced and defined Karamoja as a “Hard to Reach” area. This term is used by certain officials  in the government, the donor community, and NGOs to characterize areas that experience low 

development and inadequate service delivery by the state and other actors (Mwangu, undated).  The term “hard to reach” not only designates the Karamoja region but also results in benefits such  as “hard to reach allowances.” The question that arises is: despite the special treatment of  Karamoja, why does the region continue to face challenges? 

Ayub Mukisa (PhD) 

Executive Director-Karamoja Anti Corruption Coalition (KACC) 

Email: ayubmukisa@gmail.com