Regional Launch of the Northern Uganda Conflict Analysis and the Peace and Conflict Indicators

On October 16, 2013, I attended the Regional Launch of the Northern Uganda Conflict Analysis and Peace and Conflict Indicators organized by the Advisory Consortium on Conflict Sensitivity (ACCS) in Soroti, Eastern Uganda. This was the second event that I was attending after the initial launch of the National Conflict Analysis and Peace Indicators that took place in Kampala earlier in the month. My role was to document the outcomes of the discussions and lead the plenary session.

The ACCS project is being implemented through a consortium of three organizations (International Alert, SaferWorld, and Refugee Law Project). The project's overall aim is to assist DFID and its partners in strengthening the potential of the Peace and Recovery Development Programme (PRDP) and recovery process to address the causes of conflict in Northern Uganda and contribute to sustainable peace and stability. 

The International Alert monitors the extent to which interventions under the PRDP, particularly those funded by DFID, succeed or fail in achieving peace-building. On the other hand, the Refugee Law Project (RPL) conducts a contextual analysis of the overall recovery process (focusing on conflict indicators, issues, and dynamics), and early warning as and when necessary. SaferWorld does evidence-based advocacy, targeted recommendations, and technical support to improve the recovery and peace-building impact of OPM and other PRDP stakeholders.


The launch was attended by staff, and stakeholders of the project bringing together local leaders, government officials, NGOs representatives, scholars, and CSO.

The forum offered an opportunity to network and to learn about the work of the various organizations working in Northern Uganda. It also provided a chance to learn about the various initiatives taking place in the region as part of the efforts to bring about stability in a conflict-torn region.

Some of the observations made are as follows:

 · The study provides insight into the conflict and its key drivers. What is now needed is an action plan and a way forward.

·       The report failed to highlight critical issues of the North-south divide which runs deep into the corporate world—for example, the use of the Luganda language with little regard to other languages, even though Luganda has not been officially designated as the official/national language. This is likely to trigger potential conflict in the future—or intensify the North-South divide.

·       Human trafficking has become a major concern in Uganda, a situation that, if left unchecked, is likely to trigger further conflict.

·       Drug abuse: causing desperation resulting in an increase in crime.

·   Challenges of amnesty—even though this was well-intended, it has only recognized two parties in conflict—the rebels (LRA) and UPDF. Yet there were victims who suffered the loss of life and property and their voices are not heard. With the amnesty, the perpetrators are now seen as beneficiaries of the war since they fought and were later rewarded with jobs and positions in the military as well as rehabilitation packages.

·       There is a lack of coordination among the CSOs and government, though much has been done on land and conflict issues.

·       There are gaps in setting up committees to implement programs- this support should be extended towards strengthening the capacity of the local organized cultural institutions to resolve the numerous land conflicts. Land grabbing, which has become rampant, is a major conflict driver and the government should address the issue urgently. The way land is acquired by the government is through coercive and crude means. It does not respect the fundamental rights of the individuals and communities involved. An example is a military in Katakwi District who acquired land forcefully among the local residents without consultations. That is a recipe for community violence. Land Committees have now been relegated to the District Land Boards, far away from the local people. There is a need to decentralize these committees to the parish level so that land issues can be sorted out much faster and at a lower cost.

·       From a local perspective, there is need for the communities to organize themselves and form associations to manage land and lend a hand to the government. At the moment the government lacks capacity of staff in the Districts since most officials are unwilling to come and work in the war-torn North. Currently, the government’s blanket ban on staff recruitment still stands. The government should now give a waiver to Northern Uganda so as to increase the number of staff in the Districts.

·       There is a growing trend of culture of dependency among the population—surviving on handouts from WFP and other NGOs since the war ended. This is causing people to lose the spirit of hard work and creativity. There is need to think beyond providing vocational skills to the youth.

·       Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) issues have not been taken seriously. This is undermined by the culture and attitudes of the community. For example, when rape case (whether it’s marital rape, or other) is reported to the clan or LCD courts (which is predominantly male-controlled), they are laughed off and not taken seriously.  Land conflicts are more prevalent among unmarried women who continue to be denied access to land by their fathers, relatives, or clan, especially if they have children born out of wedlock or out of a rape situation. A girl-child especially-, is denied to go to school if they conceived at home. There are challenges in these institutions: courts, police, etc. There are also attitudinal challenges and these require sensitization, especially issues related to the SGBVs. These should not just be looked at as women’s issues/affairs. There are male victims as well but police will usually dismiss them as a non-issue. 

The CSOs role is seen as complementary to the efforts of the government and advisory to both the government and development partners.  The report findings are critical to informing policy and pacifying the region, calling for the government to urgently deal with issues of reparations for the war victims (those who suffered in the hands of LRA and UPDF) as well as a coordinated and comprehensive effort to address larger issues affecting the region such as disarmament in the Karamoja region which proved successful. 

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