Assessment of community knowledge, attitude and practices of livestock identification and perceived effectiveness in curbing livestock rustling in Karamoja Sub-Region
Abstract
The Karamojongs are pastoral communities entirely reliant on livestock especially cattle, goats
and sheep for their livelihoods. Livestock rustling is however rampant sometimes involving loss
of whole herd and or human lives. A survey was conducted to characterize livestock
identification practices and perceived effectiveness with 80 agro pastoralists to assess
community‟s knowledge, attitude and practices of livestock identification and perceived
effectiveness in curbing livestock rustling in Karamoja. Results indicated that, majority (96.3%)
of the respondents, both men and women were very knowledgeable about livestock
identification, methods used, implementation and tools used. Results also revealed all farmers
had a positive attitude towards animal identification methods especially the traditional methods
compared to modern methods. All the farmers were in agreement that livestock identification
was a feasible control strategy in curbing livestock rustling in Karamoja. Almost all (98.8%)
pastoralists practice livestock identification using their specific clan brand and notches marks for
identifying their animals from other herds/communities. Results indicated that the pastoralists
perceive red hot iron branding was the most effective method to curb cattle raids/theft and or loss
in the region. The study therefore concluded that livestock identification using area or clan based
branding marks could be a successful strategy in curbing livestock rustling in Karamoja region.
This study therefore recommends Sub county and individual owner specific branding marks
proceeded by pastoralists, sensitization across the entire Karamoja region.