Northern Uganda has experienced almost years of conflict and violence between the Government of Uganda and the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) that were ended in 2006 with a cease-fire.
Peace negotiations between the LRA and GoU began on the 14th July 2006 in Juba in Southern Sudan. Although the final outcome is not yet clear, there has been progress towards a comprehensive settlement.
A major issue in the negotiations is the persecution of the leader of the LRA and his leading followers. They have been indicted by the International Criminal Court and went into hiding. In Uganda, the indictment is seen critical and as alternative to the international persecution the use of the traditional justice system which emphasises the interests of the victims and eventual reconciliation is favored.
The long-standing conflict has resulted in a very unsatisfactory situation in terms of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which influences the everyday life of all parts of the society, in particular of the most vulnerable groups such as women and children. The LRA has inflicted brutal violence on the local population. Thousands of children were abducted by the LRA to act as fighters, porters and concubines. Human rights NGOs place the number of abducted children still held captive by the LRA at around 1,300.
The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has also been accused, though to a much lesser extent, of abusing civilians in the conflict region. This situation has created a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Originally, the number of IDPs in Northern Uganda swelled over 1.8 million in 2005 but since the peace talks in 2006 IDPs began to return home. Estimated IDP camp population in Acholi and Lango regions are currently around 661.000; the estimated number of IDPs in transit areas is at around 407.000. But due to the fragile political and military situation, the situation remains unpredictable and new outbreaks of violence could send the resettled back to the camps.
Due to current developments in the peace process, security in the regions has improved but many IDPs still fear to leave the camps and to set off for their home lands. Living conditions in camps as well as in transit sites remain difficult, despite the increased intervention of humanitarian agencies, with recurrent disease outbreaks and human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence, and with little access to water and sanitation. The situation of IDPs who have already returned to their areas of origin also remain precarious.
Communities in Northern Uganda are facing problems that are specific to conflict and post-conflict situations, such as reintegrating large numbers of returning IDPs and former combatants, and the resettlement of land disputes. In terms of land disputes, widows and orphans often face problems to enforce their right to access and cultivate their inherited farm land. In terms of community reintegration, particularly abducted child mothers and their children are often excluded from the community.
In addition, the long-standing conflict has left Northern Uganda with very poor civilian protection and human rights monitoring capacity. Those who work for human rights see themselves deprived of their own fundamental freedoms. Human rights defenders have faced increased threats, intimidation and harassment over the last years. Their work is often hampered by abuses by government agencies and, in some instances, armed groups and non-state actors; false information is published on their work, their activities are defamed, and they are sometimes dragged into costly and lengthy legal procedures to divert or distract their organisations. There are also restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and of the media. Thus, the support and protection of human rights defenders and local peace workers as well as the support of local civil society organisations and NGOs are also important components of rebuilding a society which respects fundamental human rights.