This was a comprehensive qualitative micro-analysis in Karamoja, Acholi, and Southwestern Uganda identifying latent drivers of vulnerability and resilience to recurrent shocks. The study was funded by USAID. This study, conducted in 2017, represented a significant advancement in understanding resilience at the micro-level across three distinct regions of Uganda: Karamoja, Acholi (Lamwo District), and Southwestern Uganda (Kabale District). The research focused on uncovering the underlying and latent drivers that perpetuate cycles of poverty and susceptibility to recurrent shocks and stresses.
The study employed a nuanced analytical framework that recognized resilience as a complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, environmental, and institutional factors operating at individual, household, and community levels. Data was collected using in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and participatory rural appraisals with diverse stakeholders including farmers, pastoralists, local leaders, women’s groups, and youth representatives across selected communities. The study’s methodological innovation lay in its micro-analysis approach, which allowed for granular understanding of how global and national resilience frameworks manifest (or fail to manifest) in local contexts.
The study revealed region-specific resilience patterns: for instance, in Karamoja region, the research identified historical marginalization, climate variability affecting pastoral livelihoods, and limited infrastructure as interconnected drivers; in Acholi region, the legacy of conflict, land tenure complexities, and limited market access emerged as critical factors; while in Southwestern region, population pressure on land, soil degradation, and variable market prices for agricultural produce were highlighted. This study emphasized the need for context-specific rather than one-size-fits-all approaches to building resilience. This research also contributed valuable insights to USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for Uganda and informed subsequent programming in resilience-building across the target regions. Click here to read more.
