This paper examines the returns process, new challenges that are arising as a result of it, and efforts on the part of the government and its partners to address the changing needs of the people of northern Uganda.
It is based upon interviews with representatives of central and local government, UN agencies, donor governments, and NGOs, and on the findings of a series of focus group discussions held in four IDP camps and transit sites. The Research focuses on Acholiland, the area worst affected by conflict and where the pace of return has been slowest.
The ingredients to make a successful transition from emergency relief to longer-term recovery exist in northern Uganda: a functioning government, mature government–donor relations, and improving security. The North has some of the most fertile soils in the country, and has the potential to be Uganda’s breadbasket. Despite their immense suffering, the Acholi people have shown remarkable resilience, and many are already farming their land. On the ground, there is a sense of cautious optimism as ordinary civilians begin to rebuild their lives.
Provided a co-ordinated and inclusive transition strategy is put in place, northern Uganda is well placed to capture resources and expertise from both the humanitarian and development communities.
Recommendations:
Improve security
- Remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict and continue to adhere to the cessation of hostilities agreement. Launch a programme of comprehensive police reform with technical and financial support from donors that aims at a minimum to: stamp out corruption and ensure that instances of corrupt practices are investigated and appropriate action taken; encourage recruitment of female police officers. Urgently address, through non-military means, concerns relating to peace, development, and rule of law in neighbouring districts.
- Ensure that no pressure is exerted on IDPs to move; this includes ensuring that the provision of humanitarian assistance is not used, or perceived by IDPs, as pressure to leave the camps. Ensure the freedom of choice of those IDPs who wish to remain in the former camps and assist them where possible, in line with the National IDP Policy and camp phase-out guidelines.
- Intensify efforts to provide essential social services in return sites in line with the ‘parish approach’, while maintaining services in the camps. Provide resettlement kits that include materials such as seeds, farming implements, and cooking utensils with a view to supporting self-reliance. Provide targeted assistance to vulnerable people.
- Mitigate the potential for disputes over land ownership by strengthening formal legal mechanisms such as courts and involving traditional clan structures in order to avoid parallel processes, and by providing greater public information about citizens’ land rights, especially for women and child-headed households.
- Ensure that central and local government have greater ownership over the recovery process including by: the alignment and co-ordination of international agency and NGO activities with central and local government priorities, as outlined in the PRDP and district development plans; building the capacity of central and local government so that it is in a position not only to co-ordinate activities but also to provide essential services; ensuring adequate, flexible and timely donor funding for humanitarian and recovery programming; clarifying the UN’s transition strategy, improving internal coordination of recovery activities, and prioritising enhancing government capacity.
- Remain committed to and implementing the agreements signed during the Juba peace process; holding to account security personnel who commit human rights abuses.
Support voluntary return
Support sustainable government-led recovery
Promote national reconciliation
