Shrinking resources such as water and grasslands is posing a threat to coexistence between refugee and host communities, in Northern Uganda. Some refugees fled South Sudan’s war along with their animals that have turned into a menace, according to hosts who are predominantly subsistence farmers. Herders complain it is hard to find enough water and grass for their animals nowadays. While host communities, especially around Rhino refugee settlement complain big numbers of stray animals belonging to refugees destroy their crops. Even though both communities keep small numbers of animals, hosts blame refugees for releasing their animals to roam freely. Provocations intensify everyday. The situation is exacerbated by the dry season, which started last month. The region is experiencing high temperatures. Hence many water sources have dried up, fires have burned huge amounts of vegetation and grass for animals is increasingly dwindling. The season will remain longer than usual, until April according to meteorology.
By Atizoyo Judith, Radio Pacis
