Theses and Dissertations
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Item Exploring Human - Wildlife Conflicts through the Livelihoods Framework in Nwoya District(Gulu University, 2026-09-14) Aloyo Innocent JessieThis study conducts a detailed evaluation of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) in the Lii subcounty of Nwoya District, with the goal of understanding the impacts of these conflicts, measuring the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, and assessing community involvement and policy execution; employing a cross-sectional methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research reveals that HWC is an extensive issue affecting nearly all surveyed households, predominantly driven by problematic encounters with elephants, leading to substantial economic setbacks, including an average 75% decrease in annual crop yields and a 60% drop in household income, with potential financial losses reaching UGX 40,000,000 yearly. Moreover, these conflicts significantly undermine all five capital assets of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, causing deep psychosocial impacts like chronic stress and fear reminiscent of the LRA insurgency. Although households implement various strategies to deter wildlife, their effectiveness is often viewed as limited, especially as elephants adapt to traditional deterrents. A significant finding is the pervasive dissatisfaction with current HWC management, fueled by a sense of exclusion from decision making and inadequate governmental or NGO support. This frustration is exacerbated by a lack of feedback on reported incidents, intensifying the belief that the government prioritizes wildlife over human welfare. The study calls for urgent, sustainable solutions that prioritize genuine community engagement and address underlying issues such as incomplete fencing and habitat destruction to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.Item Conflict Over Environmental Resources: Tensions between the Refugees and Host Communities in Adjumani District, Northern Uganda(2026-09-28) Okello Moses RubangangeyoThis study analyzed the complex dynamics of environmental resource-related conflicts between refugees and host communities in Adjumani District, Northern Uganda. Its general objective was to analyze the extent to which the influx of South Sudanese refugees had created these tensions. Specifically, the research aimed to investigate the factors that contributed to these conflicts, assess their socio-economic impact on both refugee and host populations, and analyze the effectiveness of existing policies and interventions designed to address them. The study employed a qualitative research design. Data were accurately collected through 8 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), 2 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and 31 household interviews conducted with both refugee and host community members. The primary data was complemented by a comprehensive review of relevant secondary literature and policy documents. Data analysis utilized a thematic approach, incorporating verbatim quotes to capture the real lived experiences and perspectives of the participants. Findings revealed that intense competition over increasingly scarce environmental resources, particularly land, water, and firewood, exacerbated by environmental degradation and inadequate resource management, significantly fuelled tensions. These conflicts had profound socio-economic consequences, including disrupted livelihoods, increased poverty, strained social cohesion, and heightened safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable women and girls. While various conflict resolution mechanisms and environmental restoration efforts were in place, the study identified critical gaps in policy implementation, resource limitations, and a notable lack of equitable host community involvement, which often led to further resentment. The study concluded that environmental resource conflicts in Adjumani were complex and deeply affected both refugee and host populations, indicating that current interventions, despite their good intentions, were often insufficient or inequitably applied. It recommended the urgent need for more inclusive and context-specific policies, equitable resource management practices, and strengthened community-based conflict resolution mechanisms that meaningfully engaged all stakeholders. A limitation of this research was its specific geographical focus on Adjumani, which might limit the direct generalizability of findings to all refugee-hosting contexts. Future research could explore quantitative measures of resource depletion or long-term impacts of specific policy interventions to build upon these insights.Item Remain or return? Dual citizenship and uncertainity: the case of South Sudanese refugees in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda(Gulu University, 2026) Achiro FlaviaUganda remains Africa’s largest hosting country for many refugees from different African States such as South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, and others with refugees from South Sudan constituting the largest percentage of the total refugee populations. This study and question on Remain or return? Dual citizenship and uncertainty, was carried out in Palabek refugee settlement in Lamwo district, Northern Uganda. The study was guided by three objectives including (a) to examine factors that influence the pursuit for dual citizenship (b) to explore and describe the perceptions of South Sudanese refugees towards dual citizenship and (c) to understand and document how the practice to dual citizenship can be strategized. A qualitative research approach was employed and data collected over a period of three weeks. A case study design was used with attendant methods being interviews and focus group discussions. Case study research design allowed for an understanding of phenomena in real life situations and for the collection of a great deal of information regarding the topic. Furthermore, the key informants identified for this study were purposively selected and included the Refugees, the Woman Leader, Refugee Welfare Committee 3 & 2, Office of the Prime Minister, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Immigration office. The key findings showed that there is inadequate knowledge about dual citizenship amongst the refugees. Another finding was that refugees hardly have access to dual citizenship programs as; some of them have resorted to intermarriage to easily acquire dual citizenship. To remedy this, the research recommends that awareness on dual citizenship should be introduced in the settlement to enable the refugees know their rights. Secondly, the authorities working in the settlement handling refugee affairs especially OPM and UNHCR should work closely with the refugee local leaders and other organizations advocating for the right to citizenship by refugees. With this partnership, it will help to harmonize the gaps surrounding the right to dual citizenship.