Karamojong families traditionally live in clusters of huts called manyattas
September 21st, 2009
In Brief: Drought, banditry threaten stability in Uganda’s Karamoja region - IRC
NAIROBI, - Violent conflicts and cattle rustling have reduced in Uganda’s northeastern Karamoja region, but severe drought and increased banditry are challenging the area’s fragile stability, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned in a new statement.
Photo: Glenna Gordon/IRIN 
Karamojong families traditionally live in clusters of huts called manyattas
"In the past, large-scale cattle-raiding has been part and parcel of the culture in Karamoja," IRC's conflict expert Abongi Patrick said in the statement. "Groups of 50 or more men would launch vicious attacks on rival clans, stealing thousands of heads of cattle and killing anyone who tried to stop them."
Whilst such incidents have declined in recent years, petty theft has been on the rise in a region where there are very few employment opportunities and severe drought this year has left many short of food.
eo/cb source.www.irinnews.org