April 14-15, 2026 (ENTEBBE, Uganda) IGAD through ICPALD’s Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE) Project convened key policy makers and legislators of Government of Uganda, on the development and implementation of a roadmap to fast-track the signing and ratification of the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance.
In attendance were senior government experts from the ministries responsible for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Presidential Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Water and Environment, Cabinet Affairs, Internal Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Karamoja Affairs, and Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and representatives from the corresponding Parliamentary Committees and Pastoralist Parliamentary Group/Caucus among others.
During the opening session, Ms. Joselyn Bigirwa, IGAD’s Head of Mission to Uganda, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, appreciated the Government of Uganda through its Ministries and Agencies for their full participation on the consultations and development of the Protocol on Transhumance since 2017.
“Uganda’s signing, ratification, domestication and implementation of the Transhumance Protocol will help alleviate mobility related challenges such as transboundary diseases, animal theft, proliferation of illegal arms and intercommunal conflicts, while addressing border trade, joint resource management and utilization” Ms. Bigirwa added.
The meeting was officiated by Dr. Namutebi Edith Nsubuga, the Head of Peace and Security Department, representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Uganda. She informed the meeting that the Republic of Uganda despite not yet signing, has had significant efforts and contributions that were instrumental in the negotiations and conceptualization of the Transhumance Protocol ensuring that it reflects the realities of the Horn of Africa.
“There is need for us to protect the traditional right of movement, and modern ways of managing pastoralism ought to be considered. We must integrate technology, improved veterinary surveillance, and sustainable rangeland management into the implementation of this Protocol to ensure it meets the needs of a modern Uganda and the region at large” Dr. Namutebi added.
Additional remarks were made by Hon. Christine Nakimwero Kaaya representing the Chair – Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Committee. She appreciated IGAD for prioritizing pastoralists issues and welfare through ICPALD and pledged the technical team’s support towards the signing and ratification of the Protocol which has great benefits to the pastoralist by strengthening and harmonizing policies for better access water and pasture, between complementary ecological areas within and between Member States.
Other remarks were by Hon. Phillips Lokwang Ilukol representing the Chair of Pastoralist Parliamentary Forum. He called for the implementation and domestication of the Protocol once it is signed and ratified by engaging all stakeholders at grassroot levels of the different Member States to implement the Protocol and other bilateral agreements, to benefit the pastoralists economically for development of the pastoralist communities.
During the two days policy makers and legislators emphasized the need for effective domestication and practical implementation of the Protocol, with special consideration for mutual interest, benefit and security of pastoralists and their livestock within the IGAD region. The Protocol’s dissemination and popularization was enhanced through the lens of existing policy frameworks, and by advocating for national ownership.
Specifically, under review was understanding Uganda’s position on the adoption, signing and ratification of the Protocol; provisions, implications and benefits of implementing the Protocol to Uganda; experiences from cross-border livestock mobility, pastoral dynamics, bottlenecks and Uganda’s policy direction; unlocking the marginalized communities’ potential amongst others.
At the close of the two-day session, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – a Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Pastorialists Forum – and Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciated IGAD and its partners for supporting the process and pledged their support in fast tracking the signing and ratification of the IGAD Transhumance Protocol for effective domestication and implementation.
The signing and ratification process is with the support of the European Union through the IGAD-ILO-EU NDICI Action. PLACE Project is an EU funded partnership with FAO to strengthen advocacy and implementation of the Transhumance Protocol, and resilience of pastoralists in Eastern Africa.
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Background
IGAD Protocol on Transhumance was adopted by the IGAD Council of Ministers on 24th June 2021, during the 72nd Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs which paved way for the signing, ratification, and domestication of the Protocol by the Member States.
The IGAD Protocol on Transhumance in the IGAD region aims to provide a legal and institutional framework for facilitating safe, orderly, and regulated cross-border livestock mobility among Member States and to mitigate risks associated with mobility such as transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
The regional instrument has since been signed by five Member States including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan to regularise, facilitate and regulate cross-border mobility of transhumant livestock and herders in search of pasture and water as an adaptation mechanism to changing weather patterns within the IGAD region. The Protocol commits Member States to invest adequate resources to pastoral regions and harmonize national laws and policies related to livestock and pastoral development, land use and governance, disease control and cross-border measures.
The instrument also aligns with the African Union which recognises the role of pastoralism in Africa as was developed in a Policy Framework on Pastoralism in 2010 aimed at securing, improving and protecting lives, livelihoods and rights of African pastoralists, without prejudicing the existing social and cultural systems among others, further highlighting the continental goals and priority areas of Agenda 2063, which include working towards environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities.
