A Scoping Review of Climate Change Impacts and Energy Adaptation Strategies in Karamoja, Uganda

This scoping review synthesises contemporary literature (2021–2026) concerning the nexus between climate change impacts and energy adaptation strategies within Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region. It examines how climate-induced environmental stressors—primarily prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall—are intensifying energy insecurity by destabilising traditional biomass systems, the region’s primary energy source. Employing an established methodological framework for scoping reviews, this study systematically identified and analysed peer-reviewed articles, institutional reports, and relevant grey literature. Findings indicate a growing focus on decentralised renewable energy adaptations, such as solar photovoltaics for water pumping and improved cookstove technologies. However, the analysis reveals critical gaps in the implementation of integrated solutions that simultaneously address productive use, long-term climate resilience, and gender-specific vulnerabilities. The review underscores that energy adaptation must be framed not as a standalone technical intervention, but as a fundamental component of climate-resilient development. It concludes that future research and policy should prioritise contextually grounded, multi-sectoral approaches. These must strengthen local agency and deliberately align sustainable energy access with broader climate adaptation and livelihood security goals for pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities.