Pastoralists’ use of mobile phones for livestock management in Karamoja, Uganda

Abstract

In the semi-arid pastoral region of Karamoja in Uganda, foot and mouth disease and tick infestations remain leading causes of livestock losses and lower milk production, costing the regional economy over USD92 million per year. This study investigated the use of mobile phones for livestock management among pastoralists in Karamoja. A total of 29 pastoralists were convened in focus group discussions (FGDs), and 11 government veterinary extension workers were interviewed. The FGDs and interviews explored the pastoralists’ existing uses of mobile phones for livestock management, the challenges they face in pursuing these uses, and the additional uses they would like to see in the future. The findings were then analysed through the lens of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), generating lessons that may be useful to the Ugandan government and other stakeholders seeking to support pastoralists’ livelihoods.

Keywords

• pastoralists, livestock management, mobile phones, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), Uganda, Karamoja