During the dry season, cattle-keepers like Lobunei prepare to move their herds to distant water sources, negotiating access with communities along the way. This traditional practice, essential for the survival of the Karamojong people in a region with unpredictable rainfall patterns worsened by climate change, is now facing challenges due to limited access to common land, increased insecurity, and government interference. Some herders fear that these obstacles are forcing them to switch to less sustainable crop farming, which is vulnerable to extreme weather events. Lobunei, from Nakapiripirit, finds himself increasingly restricted by large farms and a wildlife reserve that have limited his traditional migration routes. He also needs to obtain written permission from an increasing number of government officials who control movement across the grasslands where his ancestors once allowed their cattle to graze freely. He questioned whether they are the Karamojong people, or if it is the government that embodies the Karamojong identity. A report from 2017 by the Ugandan government and collaborating agencies mentioned that Karamoja has experienced longer dry periods and more frequent heavy rain showers since 1981. The report also cautioned that a warming planet will lead to more unpredictable, unreliable, and intense rainfall in the region in the future. Local residents have noticed that the seasons have changed, causing the names of the months to no longer match up with the natural events they used to represent. For instance, the month of "lomaruk" used to be named after white mushrooms that would appear in March, but now they show up much later. Traditionally, herders in the area would adjust by relocating their animals and arranging access to water and grazing land through a system known as etamam, or "sending a message". According to Emmanuel Tebanyang, a policy analyst at the Karamoja Development Forum (KDF), elders would first hold meetings to decide whether or not to migrate that season, and then send out scouts to find suitable grazing areas. If a host community is willing to welcome them, a bull would be sacrificed as a gesture of peace. "But etamam is experiencing a significant change," Tebanyang stated, with more discussions now being held through local government officials who require written permission before migration is allowed. The state has been trying to regulate and document movement in Karamoja since the time of colonialism, but in recent years, pastoralists believe that the government's control has become stronger. According to Alex Lemu Longoria, a Karamojong elder and former mayor of Moroto town, everything is now governed by the government in this new culture. The number of districts in Karamoja has increased from four in 2005 to nine now. The creation of new districts and sub-counties means that herders now need approval from a larger group of officials before crossing boundaries. Longoria mentioned that they no longer go to certain places due to the problem. Officials are questioning why people are moving to those areas. Another challenge is the increase in armed cattle-raiding since 2019, with guns entering from Kenya and South Sudan, causing fear among herders and leading to stricter measures by authorities. Karamoja police spokesperson Michael Longole explained that herders have freedom of movement, but traders transporting cattle are facing restrictions due to the threat of cattle raids. Authorities are warning traders about the tightened measures in response to the raids. One way to close the gap between informal grassroots discussions and official processes is by forming committees focused on peace and resource-sharing, consisting of community representatives, according to Denis Pius Lokiru, a program manager at Mercy Corps. Since 2019, this organization has facilitated the signing of four agreements in Karamoja, witnessed by government officials and integrated into local laws. These agreements outline how water and other resources can be shared peacefully to prevent conflict. The new committees also include more youth and women, noted Cecilia Dodoi, vice-chair of the Kotido Women's Peace Forum, who emphasized that women's voices are now being heard and valued. Many of these women, who are widows, have firsthand experience of the devastating effects of conflict. Tebanyang from the KDF questions the purpose of written agreements, wondering if they are meant for herders on the grasslands or bureaucrats in offices. He believes that herders do not need these documents, as they rely on a thumbprint as the only necessary evidence of an agreement, regardless of symbols. President Yoweri Museveni has been promoting sedentary farming in Karamoja, emphasizing the importance of modern commercial agriculture for increased productivity, despite the continued evolution of pastoralism in Uganda. Despite the long tradition of agropastoralism in Karamoja, recent research indicates a shift towards agriculture over the past 20 years. Satellite data from the University of Maryland shows a significant increase in cultivated land from 2000 to 2011, while a 2018 study by the Karamoja Resilience Support Unit found that a majority of households no longer have enough livestock to sustain themselves. However, local experts caution against focusing solely on crops due to the impact of climate change. According to Simon Peter Lomoe of the Dynamic Agro-Pastoralist Development Organisation, there is still a desire to maintain livestock within the community. In the event of a drought in this area, it is possible to relocate livestock in search of water, but it is not possible to relocate crops.