Uganda: ACLED’s January figures show an increase in cattle rustling and pastoralist violence — Expert Comment
Violence involving pastoralist groups in Uganda increased dramatically in January.
Analysis
Africa
Staff
Ladd Serwat
Senior Analyst, Africa
Dr. Ladd Serwat is ACLED’s Africa Senior Analyst. He conducts and coordinates analysis, contributes to the oversight of regional data coverage, manages senior researchers, and serves as the main point of contact for partnerships and external engagement on the Africa desk.
With expertise on the Wagner Group, development policy, and land-related conflict in Africa, Ladd has over 15 years of experience in non-profits, academia, and the private sector. While working broadly across Africa, Ladd specializes in the Great Lakes region, where he has lived, traveled, and worked since 2008. Before joining ACLED, Ladd held several positions focused on humanitarian, development, and youth issues in Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the United States.
Ladd holds a PhD in International Development from the University of Sussex, an MSc in African Development from the London School of Economics, and studied International Relations and French at Gonzaga University. His recent publications on the Wagner Group have been featured in major outlets such as TIME, The New York Times, and Le Monde.
Content by this author
Q&A | What is happening in and around Goma?
Africa Senior Analyst Ladd Serwat discusses the M23 siege of Goma, the conflict's escalation, and civilian impacts.
Africa Overview: January 2025
In December 2024, Islamist abductions escalated in Cameroon, the Rwandan military re-engaged in violence in the DRC's North Kivu, and regional security challenges are growing after ECOWAS approved the withdrawal of Sahelian states.
In the Great Lakes region, lasting peace remains elusive between armed groups with international ties
Peace agreements remain especially delicate due to the inability or unwillingness of the Congolese and Rwandan governments to rein in violence by proxy groups.
Non-state armed groups and illicit economies in West Africa: Building armed group legitimacy
Exploration of armed groups’ influence through illicit economies in West Africa.
Africa Overview: November 2024
Updates on conflicts in Africa, including violence in Lake Chad, DRC, Libya, and Tanzania.
Africa Overview: October 2024
Overview of key trends in conflict and violence across African countries including Central African Republic, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, and Sudan.
Q&A: The evolution of Ambazonian separatist groups in Anglophone Cameroon
Discussion on Anglophone separatist groups in Cameroon, illicit economies, and violence in 2024.
Past events
ACLED Webinar | Tackling the Islamic State threat in Africa: State responses and the road ahead
Watch ACLED analysts on Somalia, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Great Lakes region, and northern Mozambique, for another in-depth analysis of IS’s pivot to Africa and the evolving nature of African regional security.
Webinar | The Islamic State’s pivot to Africa
The Islamic State is increasingly pivoting its operations toward Africa. Watch the recorded webinar for a deep dive with our experts as they examined IS’s expanding strongholds, providing insights into the actions of the group in five African regions.
