What are local people’s attitudes towards peace, justice and social reconstruction in Northern Uganda? This survey by the Berkeley-Tulane Initiative on Vulnerable Populations captured attitudes of sample populations in eight districts of Northern Uganda affected by the conflict while peace talks were taking place between the Ugandan government and the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in 2007.
After 21 years of war Northern Uganda is a humanitarian disaster. The LRA has been one of the war’s worst perpetrators of human rights abuses. In 2005 the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants against the LRA leadership for crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) also committed serious violations of human rights and government policies failed to adequately protect refugees.
Following withdrawal of LRA forces to the Democratic Republic of Congo and peace talks in 2006, security in Northern Uganda improved. Discussions of accountability and reconciliation between the government and the LRA are, in general, not specific terms. Main priorities for war-affected people were health care, peace, children’s education, and livelihood concerns. These priorities had not changed since a previous 2005 survey, although the health emphasis was new. Only three per cent of respondents mentioned justice as a top priority. Other findings included:
- Compared to findings from the 2005 survey, Ugandans are now more prepared to consider amnesty, especially for rank-and-file members of the rebel army and conscripted civilians.
- More than two-thirds believed it was important to hold those responsible for war crimes and rights violations accountable.
- Establishing the truth was considered crucial with 90 per cent supporting the establishment of a truth commission and 89 per cent expressing willingness to talk openly in a public hearing.
- There was a significant increase in awareness of the ICC from 2005. Views were positive, but there was a widespread (32 per cent) misconception that the ICC could enforce its own arrest warrants. 76 per cent of people who had heard of the ICC said pursuing trials could endanger the peace process in Juba.
Understanding the needs and desires of the affected population is crucial to a long-term resolution of Northern Uganda’s conflict. The Government of Uganda and its international partners should incorporate the priorities expressed in the survey into an integrated strategy that promotes justice, peacebuilding and socioeconomic development in the North. In addition:
- Health services and the education system will need to be restructured to reach a population dispersed over large geographical areas. Basic services must be available in villages for returnees.
- Uganda should consider the need for a truth-seeking mechanism at both national and local levels. There should be a well-defined accountability and reconciliation strategy for rank-and-file LRA members.
- The Government of Uganda should commit to funding reparations, as it is unlikely that perpetrators will be able to make any significant contributions. Benefits to LRA returnees should be balanced with reparations to victims. There are special needs for female LRA members who were forced into marriage.
- A criminal justice and civilian police system responsive to community must be developed.
- Criminal trials for those responsible for the most serious violations of human rights should continue. The ICC needs to also improve public awareness and outreach.
