During the dry season, cattle-keepers like Lobunei prepare to lead their herds across the region to reach water sources, negotiating access with communities along the way. This traditional practice, essential for the survival of the local Karamojong people in an already harsh environment with unpredictable rainfall patterns, is becoming more difficult due to limited access to communal land, increased insecurity, and government interference. Some herders fear that the government's restrictions are forcing them to turn to crop farming, which is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. Lobunei, from Nakapiripirit, is finding it increasingly challenging to navigate around large farms and a wildlife reserve that used to be accessible to herders. He also has to request written permission from an increasing number of government officials who control movement across the grasslands where his ancestors once allowed their cattle to roam freely. He questioned whether they are the Karamojong or if it is the government that truly embodies the Karamojong. According to a 2017 report by the Ugandan government and partner agencies, Karamoja has experienced longer periods of drought and more frequent heavy rainfall since 1981. The report also warned that in the future, a warming planet will lead to even more unpredictable, unreliable, and intense rainfall in the region. Residents have noticed a change in the seasons, with the months no longer aligning with the natural events they were named after. For example, the month of "lomaruk" used to be when white mushrooms appeared in March, but now they show up much later. In the past, herders in the region could adapt by relocating their animals, negotiating access to water and pasture through a system called etamam, or "sending a message", according to Emmanuel Tebanyang, a policy analyst at the Karamoja Development Forum (KDF). The elders would hold meetings to decide whether to migrate that season, and scouts would be sent out to find potential grazing areas. If a host community welcomed them, a bull would be sacrificed as a symbol of peace. Tebanyang stated that etamam is currently going through a "rapid transformation," with discussions increasingly being held through local government officials who must give written approval before migration can take place. The state has been attempting to monitor and record movement in Karamoja since the time of colonial rule, but in recent years, pastoralists have noticed a stronger government presence. Alex Lemu Longoria, a Karamojong elder and former mayor of Moroto town, described this as a new culture where government involvement is prevalent in all aspects. The number of districts in Karamoja has increased from four in 2005 to nine currently, leading to herders needing permission from a larger group of officials in order to cross boundaries. Longoria mentioned that they no longer go to certain places because of the problem. Officials have been questioning why people are moving to those areas. Another challenge is the increase in armed cattle-raiding since 2019, with guns coming in from Kenya and South Sudan, causing herders to be more afraid and authorities to be more strict. The police in Karamoja, according to spokesperson Michael Longole, have imposed restrictions on traders moving cattle between districts due to the raids. He mentioned that they are tightening security measures in response to the raids. One way to connect grassroots dialogue with formal processes is by forming committees focused on peace and resource-sharing, composed of community representatives. Denis Pius Lokiru, a program manager at Mercy Corps, mentioned that his organization has facilitated the signing of four agreements in Karamoja since 2019, with the involvement of government officials and incorporation into local by-laws. These agreements outline how water and natural resources can be shared peacefully to avoid conflict. The committees now also include more youth and women, according to Cecilia Dodoi, vice-chair of the Kotido Women's Peace Forum. She noted that there has been a positive change as women's voices are being heard, especially for widows who have experienced the consequences of conflict. Tebanyang from the KDF questions the purpose of written agreements, whether they are intended for herders or bureaucrats. He believes that herders do not require these documents, as they rely on a thumbprint as proof of agreement. President Yoweri Museveni is promoting sedentary farming in Karamoja, emphasizing the shift towards modern commercial agriculture for increased productivity. Even though many of the 1.2 million people in Karamoja have traditionally practiced agropastoralism, recent research indicates that they have been increasingly relying on agriculture. Satellite data analysis from the University of Maryland shows a significant increase in cultivated land between 2000 and 2011. 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 too heavily on crops in light of the impacts of climate change. Simon Peter Lomoe, executive director of a Ugandan nonprofit, emphasizes that no one wants to completely abandon livestock. 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 move crops.