From 26 to 27 March 2025, the Coalition of Pastoralist Civil Society Organisations (COPACSO) co-organized the Rangeland and Pastoralist Multi-Stakeholder Meeting held in Moroto, Uganda. The meeting brought together diverse stakeholders from across East and Southern Africa to address the challenges facing rangelands and pastoralist communities and to promote sustainable land governance and livelihoods.
The meeting convened representatives from pastoralist communities, government agencies, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, researchers, and development partners. It provided a platform for inclusive dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborative action on issues including land tenure security, biodiversity conservation, pastoralism, and water resource management.
COPACSO’s Role and Contributions
As a key co-organizer, COPACSO helped design and coordinate the meeting agenda to ensure the inclusion of pastoralist voices and perspectives. During the event, COPACSO:
- Facilitated discussions on land tenure and pastoralist rights, emphasizing community-based land governance approaches
- Supported the SWOT analysis of challenges and opportunities related to land tenure, biodiversity, and water resources within rangeland systems
- Engaged in policy dialogues that shaped the final resolutions calling for strengthened advocacy, improved resource management, and enhanced multi-stakeholder collaboration
- Mobilized participation from pastoralist groups and local communities in Moroto, ensuring their active involvement and ownership of outcomes
Key Themes and Outcomes
The meeting underscored the critical need for secure land tenure to sustain pastoralist livelihoods and ecosystem health. Participants highlighted threats from land degradation, competing land uses, and policy gaps that undermine pastoral systems. The SWOT analysis provided a clear picture of strengths and weaknesses in current land and resource governance.
Through collaborative deliberations, participants adopted resolutions aimed at:
- Enhancing community land rights and governance frameworks
- Promoting sustainable rangeland management practices
- Strengthening partnerships for resource mobilization and advocacy
- Facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building among stakeholders
A Regional Platform for Sustainable Pastoralism
COPACSO supports the Rangeland Platform Uganda as a key mechanism for ongoing collaboration and learning. The platform encourages partners to integrate rangeland and pastoralist issues into their programs and projects, promoting sustainability and resilience at the grassroots.
The next regional learning exchange is planned for Nakaseke District in Uganda’s cattle corridor, furthering efforts to scale up good practices and policy engagement.
Looking Ahead
COPACSO remains committed to advancing the rights and resilience of pastoralist communities by fostering inclusive dialogue, strengthening land governance, and mobilizing resources. By championing the sustainable use of rangelands and the protection of pastoralist livelihoods, COPACSO contributes to equitable development and biodiversity conservation in Uganda and the wider region.
