Small Arms and Light Weapons Among Pastoral Groups in the Kenya–Uganda Border Area

Abstract

Recent decades have seen an escalation in interethnic resource conflicts and banditry among pastoralists in the Kenya-Uganda border region, fuelled by a growing number of small arms. State management has been largely unsuccessful and often counterproductive in reducing numbers of small arms. The creation of paramilitary institutions in rural Kenya and Uganda are an example of how legal arms are entering communities and intensifying the conflicts further. Understanding the sources and mechanisms of arms acquisition is a significant step in curbing the violence. The main sources and routes, and the current costs of arms and ammunition are provided. More important however is to appreciate the complex reasons behind the demand for small arms. Relationships with states, alienation of pastoral land, cultural issues and questions of livelihood are all examined, using empirical evidence collected by the author between 2001 and 2005.