Impact of Disarmament On Economic Development in Karamoja Sub-Region; A Case of Nakapiripirit District

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of disarmament on the economic development of the Karamoja sub-region in Uganda. The study objectives included assessing the contributions of disarmament to the economic development, determining the factors that have hindered the economic development of Karamoja after disarmament and establishing mechanisms for improving the economic development process of the Karamoja sub-region. The study was conducted in the Nakapiriprit district in the selected respondents were 60 who provided information through the questionnaires. The study findings on the first objective were that there exist mixed reactions on the contributions of disarmament to development, the results reveal that disarmament positively affected development though some people still hold arms hence the need for further disarmament and legalization of the arms. On the second research objective the researcher established that a series of issues constrained the development of the area hence the need for a more focus development mix. On the third research objective there researcher conclude that even though the road infrastructure, establishment of scholarships to high institutions of learning, extension of health services to the people and established human development there is need for more interventions to strongly curb the development challenges. The studies recommend that elders and leaders stress the need for ‘sensitization’ in advance of disarmament initiatives. They argue that people need to be informed of how the program will be conducted and whether it is likely to be forcible or voluntary, and stress the need for cooperation between the government and local civil administrations (rather than simply the army) for effective consideration of local needs. Together, these observations suggest a distinct lack of faith on the part of local people in the ability of the state to provide for their security. There is undoubtedly a willingness to disarm the warriors, who comprise the most troublesome elements in society. The reaction should have served as a warning to policy-makers that voluntary disarmament prompted by development assistance and the provision of security was the way to secure community buy-in to disarmament programs. Establishment of a community-based security system to ensure security for people and property.