In northern Uganda by the end of last June to September, it is estimated that 916,000 people remained in camps, mainly in Acholi sub region, while 539,000 had returned home. Some 381,000 people had moved to new transit sites\ settlements near their villages according to UNHCR. Significant dividends of the cessation of hostilities agreement and the pace process include:
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. Three agenda items have been agreed upon and signed out of five. These are:
The formal and informal justice systems as the mechanism for accountability and the ICC indictment remain a critical issue in the peace process. Many people in northern Uganda if not all, want the wishes of the victims to take precedence. The traditional justice system is favored against ICC justice. The demands at the moment are:
Activities
Juba peace talks consultation on accountability and reconciliation principle: NP attended two district consultations meetings organized by LRA and GoU negotiation teams on the Juba peace process. The teams at the moment are collecting and collating views of the northern community including the victims of LRA and GoU war in northern Uganda, as part of the implementation protocol of the accountability and reconciliation principle signed in June. The consultations have involved politicians, community leaders, religious leaders, returnees and those victims who were directly affected. The consultations are district based. There are mixed feelings about the ICC approach and the traditional justice system. Many local people fear that Joseph Kony and his four top commanders will be hanged in The Hague without getting a chance to face the victims in order to apologize and seek forgiveness.
Land mediation in Amuru district between Ramogi clan and Paluang: NP attended a land mediation between warring communities in Ramogi Sub County, Amuru district. We were invited by the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative. It was a full day process where the police CID, local government representatives, and a lawyer participated. This was just one of the many land wrangles confronting the IDP population returning to their ancestral land after two decades of camp life. The community now is emphasizing traditional and customary land tenure system as the best way to resolve land problems. In Amuru district land dispute claimed three lives in the month of August. Issues were identified and a follow up meeting was scheduled to resolve the problem.
Return and resettlement monitoring in Amuru district: NP did a combined monitoring of return and resettlement with UNHCR, WFP, ARC and an Amuru District Development Officer. UNHCR is the lead agency in the return and resettlement sub sector in both in Amuru and Gulu districts. Most of the organizations in this sub sector are mainly implementing partners of UNHCR programs. NP was involved this activity because of its interest to monitor furthest return sites and villages that are beyond other agencies capacity. We went to Lila, Lamin Latoo, Koch Amar and Koch Goma villages. Some of the problems faced by the IDPs are elephants, land mines, lack of a nearby clinic lack of a police or military detachment in the area, that there are two water pumps that are not functioning, and that schools need refurbishment and lack teachers. WFP is about to begin a food for work program to reopen a stretch of access road of approximately 68 km.
Return and resettlement monitoring in Gulu district: NP went to Achwa Sub County together with several officials from the government and international organisations. The team went to the villages of Buchoro, Unyama and Laroo. The problem people have include fear return due to a lack of basic infrastructure like access roads, water, schools and health centers. Another aspect of fear is of soldiers who run amok and rape women in the villages. People want schools to be constructed so that they can bring their children from the camp to the village. Local people pledged to make bricks for reconstruction, dig pit latrines and cut timbers for roofing as part of their contribution if INGOs can provide iron sheets, cement, nails, and pay constructors.
Participated in peace prayer meeting in Kitgum district: NP was invited by ARLPI, one of the potential partners, to attend one of their programs in the Muchwini village in Kitgum district. This is the village where one of the worst massacres happened in Kitgum. LRA rounded up villagers and asked them to bludgeon their children and other family members to death. Many religious leaders attended, Muslim, Christian and traditional spiritual leaders. Others were politicians, government representative and other international agencies. Speeches were about peace and reconciliation with local traditional justice system being stressed by many leaders. The survivors of the ordeal narrated their testimonies underlining their desire to forgive the perpetrators.
Donor appointments: The coordinator made many phone calls to arrange appointments with donors both in Gulu and Kampala. He did secure appointments with UNHCR, UNDP, EU and the Belgium Embassy. The following have requested me to meet them sometimes towards the end of Sept and early October: Oxfam, UNICEF, Austrian Embassy and the Dutch Embassy.
Report written by Oloo Otieno and Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)