Kaabong

Kaabong is a town in northeastern Uganda. It is the administrative center of Kaabong District, which is part of the Karamoja sub-region in the Northern Region of the country. The town lies on a semi-arid, hilly savannah landscape near the border with South Sudan and functions as the district’s main market and service hub.

The population of the district is predominantly rural, with the Karimojong and related communities making up the majority of residents in the surrounding countryside. The local economy is largely based on livestock herding, particularly cattle and goats, complemented by small-scale farming of crops such as sorghum, millet, and maize, as well as cross-border trade that connects Kaabong to neighboring districts and regions.

Kaabong is connected to other towns in Karamoja by road, though much of the network consists of unpaved routes. The town hosts basic public services, including health facilities and primary and secondary schools. More specialized medical and administrative services are located in larger towns within the sub-region. The area has faced security and development challenges in the past, including cattle rustling and drought-related stresses, with ongoing programs aimed at improving resilience and livelihoods.

Culturally, the Kaabong area is home to the Karimojong people and other minority groups who speak Ngakarimojong and related languages. Traditional pastoralist practices and social structures continue to influence daily life, even as the town and district pursue development and modernization. Kaabong town also hosts district government offices and serves as the administrative seat for Kaabong District.