Tsetse Invasion as an Emerging Threat to Socioecological Resilience of Pastoral Communities in Karamoja, Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sustainability
Abstract
Over 70% of Uganda is infested by the tsetse fly, which has negative e ects on human
and livestock health. From colonial to post-independent Uganda, the Government of Uganda has
worked to eradicate the tsetse menace. Despite these e orts, recent veterinary reports from the
Karamoja sub-region have indicated widespread tsetse invasion. This study investigated the potential
impact of tsetse invasion on the socioecological resilience of pastoral communities in the Karamoja
sub-region. Results indicated that tsetse invasion is spreading from north to south of Karamoja. The
tsetse transmission route emerging from southern Karamoja is perceived to be a continuation of the
tsetse belt from West Pokot, Kenya. Cases of livestock deaths, livestock abortions, decreased milk
yields, restricted access to prime grazing lands, heightened human-wildlife conflicts and disruption
on crop cultivation have been reported. A computed socioecological resilience index in the study
area was positive but low. Owing to the transboundary characteristics of tsetse invasions and sources
and the associated documented e ects, an urgent, strategic and system-wide intervention should be
undertaken to control the tsetse invasion in this sub-region.
Description
Keywords
Glossina spp., Health, Sleeping sickness, Tsetse invasion, Karamoja sub-region, Africa
Citation
Egeru, A., Opio, J., Siya, A., Barasa, B., Magaya, JP, & Namaalwa, JJ (2020). Tsetse invasion as an emerging threat to socioecological resilience of pastoral communities in Karamoja, Uganda. Sustainability , 12 (4), 1599. doi:10.3390/su12041599