Community engagement, cultural integration, and livelihood outcomes of the Karimojong pastoralists in wildlife conservation in Kidepo valley national park, North Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Wildlife conservation in Uganda's Kidepo Valley National park (KVNP) takes place in a culturally sensitive context where the Karimojong pastoralists hold extensive ecological knowledge and deep cultural ties to the land. Yet, mainstream conservation approaches have often marginalized these Indigenous values and practices, leading to limited community ownership and livelihood benefits. This study investigated the interrelationships among cultural values, community engagement, cultural integration, and livelihood outcomes of the Karimojong in KVNP, while also examining the moderating role Of culture in these relationships. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was applied. Data were collected from 243 respondents, five key informant interviews (n —5), and five focus group discussions (n =37). Stata version 17 and NVivo 12 were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses,respectively. Findings showed that culture was disrespected (M = 2.8/5), with 50.4% (n =979) disagreeing. Community engagement was low, with 89.3% (n disagreeing that communities actively participate (M =1.4/5). Integration was limited, scoring an overall mean of 1.4/5, with 89.5% (n —2,176) disagreeing. Livelihood outcomes scored an overall mean of 2.6/5, with 69.7% (n = 508) reporting a disagreement. Community engagement significantly predicted livelihood outcomes through cultural integration (indirect effect = 0.147, 95% Cl [0.05, 0.18], p <O.OOI), but the effect weakened when cultural alignment was low. Thematic analysis identified four dominant themes: erosion of traditional ecological practices, marginalisation in decision-making, resilience through cultural rituals, and aspirations for co-management. Overall, the study shows that Indigenous cultural systems remain central to conservation success but are insufficiently incorporated into current frameworks. Strengthening conservation outcomes requires inclusive governance models, deliberate integration of Karimojong cultural practices, and recognition of Indigenous leadership. The study recommends policy reforms that embed co-management, promote culturally sensitive livelihood opportunities, and reconnect conservation strategies with the cultural worldviews Of the Karimojong to ensure ecological sustainability, community empowerment, and cultural preservation.