SUMMARY
The northeastern regions of Uganda are home to a large number of agro-pastoralist groups. The area, which is comprised of predominantly semiarid thorn savannah, is often described as one of the most inhospitable zones in Africa. Rainfall is erratic and the area suffers frequent draughts. In this context migratory livestock herding has proven to be the most sustainable way of life. As necessary resources such as water and pasture are scarce and the value ascribed to cattle is very high, fierce conflicts and large-scale cattle-raiding is a common phenomenon between the groups in the region such as in its nearby surroundings. Tribal clashes can furthermore be characterized by a circular pattern since in order to assure survival, raided tribes must retaliate against other tribes to replenish lost livestock.
In the last decades of the 20th century, a series of droughts escalated Ugandan pastoralist conflicts to new dimensions. Tribal clashes, previously only possible between tribes speaking different languages, were becoming more violent and occurred both within and between tribes of the northeastern regions. Access to modern weaponry, available after the ouster of former dictator Idi Amin in 1979, further changed the dynamics of raids. Traditionally, civilians were to be left unharmed by the attacking tribe. However, when modern weapons became available, warrior training was deemed unnecessary and both women and children could participate in the daily protection of the cattle. Consequently, cattle raids often resulted in civilian casualties. Grievances over lost cattle and the death of civilians hence intensified hatred between tribes and traditional cattle raids were transformed into acts of vengeance. Instability was further increased as local defense units were created to support the regular police. These forces, armed and trained by the national army, were mostly composed of tribe members. As a result, the government was indirectly providing the northeastern regions with weapons and training used and applied in cattle raids.
Just like the other conflicts in northeastern Uganda, the conflict between the Pokot and the Sabiny is characterized by vicious circles of raids, with the two groups taking turn raiding each other's cattle. Sometimes the attacks are swift with little loss of life, whereas other raids lead to long-running battles, leaving many dead.
The non-state conflict between the Pokot and the Sabiny is first included in UCDP data in 2003. At the beginning of April of that year Sabiny villages were attacked by Pokot warriors which resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths and heavy destruction.
