Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda has joined regional efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to fast-track the signing and ratification of a key protocol aimed at regulating cross-border livestock movement.
The government, working with IGAD, has convened a high-level policy dialogue to develop a roadmap for adopting the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance—a framework designed to guide safe, orderly, and controlled movement of pastoralists and their livestock across borders.
The protocol, adopted on June 24, 2021, during the 72nd Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers, seeks to harmonise policies on livestock development, land use, and disease control among member states.
It has already been signed by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Uganda is yet to sign the instrument, despite playing a role in its development since consultations began in 2017.
Officials say adopting the protocol will help address persistent challenges linked to cross-border pastoralism, including the spread of animal diseases, cattle theft, illegal arms movement, and recurring inter-community conflicts.
Speaking at the meeting, IGAD Head of Mission to Uganda, Joselyn Bigirwa, said the protocol offers a structured approach to managing livestock mobility while unlocking trade opportunities.
“Uganda’s signing and ratification will strengthen cross-border trade, improve resource management, and help tackle insecurity and transboundary animal diseases,” she said.
The meeting was officiated by Dr. Edith Namutebi Nsubuga from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who noted that while pastoral mobility is a long-standing tradition, it must now be managed using modern systems.
“There is need to protect the traditional right of movement while integrating technology, veterinary surveillance, and sustainable rangeland management,” she said.
The protocol aligns with broader continental frameworks such as the African Union’s Policy Framework on Pastoralism and Agenda 2063, both of which prioritise climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Lawmakers attending the dialogue pledged support for ratification, with calls for stronger grassroots engagement to ensure effective implementation once adopted.
The discussions, held under IGAD’s Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development through the PLACE programme, bring together officials from key ministries, Parliament, and pastoralist representatives.
The ratification process is being supported by the European Union, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization, as part of efforts to strengthen resilience among pastoral communities in Eastern Africa.
If adopted, the protocol is expected to place Uganda within a coordinated regional system for managing livestock movement—an increasingly critical issue in the face of climate pressure, resource competition, and cross-border insecurity.
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