ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVESTOCK WATER SOURCES AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION. “CASE STUDY, KARAMOJA REGION OF UGANDA’’

Abstract

The study examined the impact of climate change on livestock water sources and livestock production using the Karamoja region of Uganda as a case study. The study's objectives were to determine the general public's perception of climate change, to identify the major climatic factors affecting livestock productivity in Karamoja, and to assess the extent to which climate change has affected animal water sources and livestock productivity in the study region. A cross-sectional survey design, as well as a quantitative and qualitative approach, were used in the study. The study population was 258, and the sample size was 222, which was chosen specifically through a purposive and random sampling technique. While the general public was aware of and understands climate change, the study concluded that the likely causes of climate change were numerous, including deforestation, charcoal burning, natural events such as lake currents, carbon emissions, and land degradation. In Karamoja, climate change is causing erratic and uneven rainfall, drying of surface water bodies such as dams and rivers, high temperatures, deforestation, and outbreaks of livestock diseases. It goes on to say that the major climatic factors affecting water sources and livestock productivity in Karamoja are higher temperatures, drying of rivers, dams, and other seasonal surface water sources, decreases in water levels, and heavy rains, floods, and reduced infiltration, and climate change has an 84.7 percent positive impact on water sources for animals and productivity. The following adaptation measures have been proposed: Diversification of livestock and crop varieties, massive tree planting (agroforestry) awareness and sensitization campaigns, increased government and partner investment in water harvesting and agroforestry schemes, and improved capacity of all organizations and institutes involved.