RESEARCH PARTICIPATION IN A (CONFLICTFUL) FIELD OF RELATIONALITY CONCERNING FARMERS AND PASTORALISTS IN NORTHERN UGANDA: EXPLORING ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN THE SYSTEM

Abstract

Conducted in the post-civil war context of Northern Uganda, this study explored certain land-related
conflicts between farmers and pastoralists using a transformative and Indigenous
paradigmatic lens. By drawing on an Indigenous relational ontology, a dialogic and participatory
research approach was employed. This involved four focus group discussion sessions with 53
participants overall. In addition, two follow-up community workshops for the purpose of knowledge
sharing, validation, and dissemination were conducted. In doing this, the study explored how
Relationally directed dialogue could engender mutual understanding and support conflict
transformation in the region. The key findings indicate that the dialogic engagement enabled
participants to recognize interdependencies, reframe adversarial narratives and co-develop
contextually-grounded strategies for coexistence which includes improved land management
practices, communication mechanisms, and culturally informed norms of interaction. In the paper,
we explain our accountabilities (along with the research participants/co-researchers) as hoping
to constructively influence the dynamics of relations. That is, we understood that we ourselves
were interwoven in the (changing) system of relations through our involvement.