Today, JRP is pleased to announce the launch of its new website to our friends and colleagues in Gulu and abroad. Notifications were sent to our mailing list, to a regional contact group, and our Twitter and Facebook accounts.
To see highlights of some of the many features on the site, please visit http://myemail.
Thank you for your continued support of our work.
From November 2010 to February 2011, the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP), in collaboration with the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), organized a series of consultations with victims of conflict in Northern Uganda, entitled ‘Enhancing Grassroots Involvement in Transitional Justice Debates.’ The consultations, held in the Acholi/Lango, Teso, and West Nile sub‐regions, focused on truth‐telling, traditional justice, reparations and gender justice within the context of Uganda’s transitional justice processes.
Based on views from grassroots communities, we have released a series of policy briefs that elaborate on these four areas and provide a series of recommendations to the Government of Uganda, cultural institutions, the International Criminal Court and other stakeholders.
To read more about each of the briefs, visit the links below:
Traditional Justice and War Crimes in Northern Uganda
JRP-IJR Policy Brief No. 1
By Lino Owor Ogora and Tim Murithi
Pay Us so We Can Forget: Reparations for Victims and Affected Communities in Northern Uganda
JRP-IJR Policy Brief No. 2
By Lindsay McClain and Allan Ngari
Missing Stories: Truth-seeking Processes in Northern Uganda
JRP-IJR Policy Brief No. 3
By Roza Freriks and Lino Owor Ogora
Gender Justice and Reconciliation in Northern Uganda
JRP-IJR Policy Brief No. 4
By Sylvia Opinia and Friederike Bubenzer
We will be officially launching these policy briefs in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more details on dates and locations.
Note: IJR has posted the same briefs on their blog here.
Today our partners at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) in South Africa released a report on a regional consultation on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and community-level reconciliation that JRP participated in earlier this year.
The report, titled “The ICC and Community-Level Reconciliation: In-Country Perspectives,” outlines discussions from the regional consultation held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 21 to 22 February 2011. Twenty-three participants from IJR’s partner organisations (including JRP) from seven African countries namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe participated in the consultation. Participants were drawn from the International Criminal Court, governments, international non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, multilateral agencies and academia. The objective of the consultation was to engage practitioners in the field of transitional justice in assessing how the interventions of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are impacting upon community-level reconciliation in what the Rome Statute refers to as situation countries.
To read the report,click here. JRP’s Lino Owor Ogora’s presentation is highlighted on page 15 (Section 8.1).
According to Ogora, “It is necessary to systematically document the essence and procedures of traditional justice mechanisms which can serve as a component of the wider transitional justice architecture adopted by countries.”
JRP is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant for the Gender Justice Department to effectively and efficiently undertake research. S/he will assist the researchers in all stages of the research project from planning, implementation and evaluations. Success in this position will depend on the candidate’s ability to work under minimum supervision, organize& conduct research and efficiency in handling children.
For more information on how to apply, view the vacancy announcement here.
Note: The deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 26, 2011.
“Absence Of Compensation Law Worries LRA War Victims,” Uganda Radio Network, 10 Aug. 2011
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=35992
By Joe Wacha
Absence of a law regulating compensation of war victims is causing worry among the people, who suffered losses during the two-decade insurgency in northern Uganda.
Absence of a law regulating compensation of war victims is causing worry among the people, who suffered losses during the two-decade insurgency in northern Uganda.
Several people who lost family members, suffered harm or lost property during the war between Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels and government, have been demanding for compensation but such a move requires a legal basis for its successful realization.
During the Juba peace agreement, both government and the LRA rebels resolved that government should establish necessary arrangements for making reparations to victims of the conflict. The implementation protocol of the agreement signed on May 27th 2007 provides that government shall include a special fund for victims out of which, reparations shall be paid.
However, over four years later, no such arrangement has been initiated leaving some of the war victims to question the willingness of government to address their plight.
Already, a number of rights groups and civil society organizations have voiced their concerns over the absence of a policy providing for compensation of the war victims.
Catherine Lakareber, a twenty seven year old mother who was maimed during the war, says that for years they have continued to wait on government to pronounce itself on the issue of reparation.
Richard Todwong, the MP for Nwoya County in Nwoya district was previously assigned to compile the list of the war victims, when he was still a presidential adviser in charge of northern Uganda. Todwong says he registered over 6,000 war victims. He however notes that no attempt has been made to enact a law providing for the compensation of the victims.
As a result, Todwong says he is now preparing to move a Private Members Bill on Compensation of war victims.
Democratic Party president, Norbert Mao has underscored the need for such a law. He explains that the presence of a law governing compensation of war victims would make it a national government program and not for political patronage as is being practiced.
//Cue in: “Compensation to war victims…”
Cue out: “…victims’ compensation act.”//
Lino Ogora, a transitional justice expert in Gulu says that present attempts to provide compensation are biased. He cites the compensation of the Mukura victims that he said had no clear criteria and was conducted through an individual. In 2010, government paid 200 million shillings to the survivors and relatives of the 1989 Mukura massacre. On 11th July 1989 soldiers of the National Resistance Army suffocated to death 55 suspected rebels in a train wagon at Mukura in Ngora District.
“Uganda’s International Crimes Division Court Attracts Massive Critique,” Uganda Radio Network, 14 July 2011
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=35292
By Joe Wacha
The War Crimes Division of Uganda High court has come under sharp criticism from some members of the public only a few days after it started trying Thomas Kwoyelo, the former LRA director of operations.
Uganda’s International Crimes Division Court has come under sharp criticism from some members of the public only a few days after it started trying Thomas Kwoyelo, the former LRA director of operations. Kwoyelo is facing 53 counts of crimes for his alleged involvement in the LRA war from 1987 to 2005, when he was captured by government forces.
However, some people in Northern Uganda doubt whether the Uganda War Crimes Division court has the capacity to competently prosecute suspects. Bosco Ocan, a resident of Layibi Techo in Gulu municipality says that he doubts the independence of the judicial system in Uganda to be able to competently deliver justice.
Jane Akwero Odwong, a former Woman MP for Kitgum district is surprised that the court does not address crimes against gender. Adwong explains that whereas many women and girls were raped and subjected to sexual slavery during the war in northern Uganda, the charges have not been brought against Kwoyelo.
Louis Odong, another victim of the war complained that the court does not provide compensation for the people who suffered from the war and either lost relatives or property. Other people suggest that holding the trial nearer to the victims, only reminds them of the atrocities they suffered during the war.
However, not everyone is against the operation of the court. Onono Onweng, the retired Bishop of Northern Uganda says that court is a test and it is only right for it to draw critiques. He however hoped it would improve overtime.
Lino Owor Ogora, a transitional justice activist says that the court needs to lead in advocating the legislation of necessary laws for reparation and other areas people feel are not presently addressed.
But Tadeo Asiimwe, the registrar of the International Crimes Division of the High Court noted that the court is a permanent institution with the capacity to prosecute all war crimes and crimes against humanity. He added that the decision to move the trial to Gulu was intended to ensure the victims of the LRA war participate in the justice process.
“Lukodi Massacre Victims Struggle To Live With Memories,” Uganda Radio Network, 27 May 2011
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=33984
By Joe Wacha
The survivors of the 2004 massacre at Lukodi internally displaced people’s camp in Gulu district say they require government to urgently initiate mechanisms to help them cope with the dreadful memories of the attack.
Survivors of the 2004 Lukodi massacre in Gulu district say they are individually carrying the burden of the atrocities committed during the war due to lack of government support to heal the past.
Many of the survivors say they require truth-telling by all the parties in the massacre, construction of memorials to honor the dead, acknowledging the past and a comprehensive reparation to be able to move on from the incident.
On May 19, 2004, a group of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels descended on the Lukodi displaced people’s after overpowering a nearby military unit and murdered over 50 people. The rebels also destroyed property, abducted scores of the IDPs, while others managed to escape with bullet wounds. Only a few huts and a memorial stone inscribed with some of the names of the people who died in the attack, stands near the ground that used to be the camp.
However, seven years after the attack, the victims complain that government has done nothing to help them recover from the traumatic incident.
Nelson Oloya, a resident of Lukodi village, on whose land the IDP camp once stood, tearfully recalls how the rebels killed his family members. Oloya ran to Gulu town. He explains that although he is now back home, memories of the past still haunt him. He says government should establish counseling services to help them overcome the trauma.
Doreen Abalo, another victim who lost her husband and three step children in the attack, explains that she is haunted by memories. Abalo explains that her only relief is when she meets with the village mates to share experiences.
Abalo says she wants the murderers to be prosecuted and government to compensate people who lost their relatives and property or got wounded. Although the Juba peace agreement between the government and LRA rebels provides for reparations for war victims, the government is yet to implement the resolution.
Barlington P’angwec, the LC5 representative for Bungatira Sub County repeated the calls for urgent reparations. He wondered how government could quickly compensate victims of the July 2010 bomb blasts in Kampala and ignore those in northern Uganda.
The UN Principles and Guidelines on the Right to Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violation also demands that victims adequate, prompt and appropriate remedies for victims.
Evelyn Akullo, a research officer at Justice and Reconciliation Project explains that the victims are struggling to find ways to deal with the past and move on with life amidst a strong need to reconcile with each other and what happened to them.
She says government should design and implement an inclusive and transparent reparations policy for the victims. Barlonyo, Atiak, Burcoro and Mucwini are some of the other massacre sites where people still wait for compensation.
“Village bank provides relief to massacre victims in Lukodi,” Uganda Radio Network, 30 May 2011
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=34053
By Joe Wacha
Survivors of the 2004 massacre in Lukodi Internally Displaced People’s Camp in Gulu have started an initiative to empower members economically. The survivors have started an association to provide soft loans, save and extend other financial services to members.
The 40 members say that besides the provision of the credit transactions, the local initiative is helping them to heal from the trauma associated with the incident that saw many people lose their lives, maimed and abducted by the LRA rebels.
Patrick Opira, the chairman of Lukodi Canogura Group explains that members of the group meet at his home on Wednesday every week to deposit their cash savings.
He explained that during the meetings, the members review the previous transactions before proceeding to make fresh deposits and balance the books of accounts. He said each member saves between 1,000 to 2,500 shillings weekly depending on how much they can afford.
Opira adds that they have so far managed to save 987,000 shillings since the new cycle begun in March. He said last year the group saved 700,000 shillings allowing the members to receive between 50,000 to 110,000 shillings for the members with the least and highest savings respectively.
The chairman says that the group also lends small amount of money to the members at an interest of ten percent meaning that a member who borrows 5,000 shillings pays 5,500 while the one who borrows 10,000 has to pay back 11,000 shillings.
Doreen Abalo, one of the group members says that they have been able to meet some of the basic needs through the initiative adding that they are yet unable to afford forming a Savings and Credit Cooperative organization to benefit from government-advanced loans.
To form a SACCO, groups are required to provide registration certificate, by-laws, lending policy, budget estimate and business plan among others conditions.
However, the credit facilities are not all there is to the group. Many of the members of the Lukodi Canogura Group say that the weekly meeting provides them with an opportunity to share experiences and forge forward with life.
Doreen Abalo explains that she looks forward to the weekly meetings because it provides her with an opportunity to meet with her fellow survivors and learn how each one is coping. She explains that during the meetings, the interactions help her to forget all about the sad memories of the massacre that have remained a part of her life over the past seven years.
To Abalo and other members of the community, the local initiative is a near solution to the absence of meaningful government intervention in form of counseling, income generation activities, durable support to the war victims and a comprehensive transitional justice provision.
A report last month by the Justice and Reconciliation Project emphasized the need for government support to local level community based initiative targeting reconciliation and healing.
It added that for healing to be successful among the war affected communities, the support measures targeting the healing and reconciliation processes have to be based within the communities itself and not imposed from the outside.
Until such an intervention is implemented, many communities in the areas ravaged by the two-decade LRA war will continue to yearn in vain for meaningful healing from the war.
“LRA Victims Want ICC to Share Report On Atrocities Read,” Uganda Radio Network, 26 May 2011
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=33953&PHPSESSID=a9da224d4ed6ee8f3e95602f7925995d
By Dennis Olaka
LRA war victims want the report on the attacks to be made public.
Victims of the LRA rebels’ massacre in Lukodi village, Bungatira Sub County in Gulu district want government and the International Criminal Court to share findings of forensic investigations into the attack in the area by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
This is contained in a report that was presented by Justice and Reconciliation project – JRP at a function held on Wednesday to remember the victims of the 2004 attack.
More than 60 people were massacred and dozens more injured and abducted from Lukodi when the LRA rebels attacked the area on May 19th 2004.
A team of officials from the ICC are said to have conducted investigations immediately after the massacre but the findings have never been shared. The victims say they don’t know who to hold accountable for the attack because of the absence of the report.
56-year-old Doreen Abalo, who lost her husband and many other relatives in the massacre says it is still a pain to wake up to the memories of the gruesome murder. She recalls that on that day, all family members were sleeping in a hut when they were woken up by the cries of people being butchered by the rebels at around 4:00am.
Abalo says a child rebel attacked the house ordering them out. Her husband was hit several times on the head with a panga and he died instantly.
She adds that three of her children were abducted and she has never seen them to date.
Another victim, Nelson Oloya Ibango-loch breaks down while narrating how he narrowly escaped as rebels fired several bullets at him.
“Former LRA Victims Still Rejected by their Communities,” Uganda Radio Network, 3 Dec. 2010
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=29959
By James Owich Ochora
A group of women, who were abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army when they were teenagers, say reintegration into their societies is a hard and arduous task. They say they are shunned by their families and stigmatized by their communities because of their perceived role in the rebellion.
It is not known exactly how many girls the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) abducted during its protracted war in northern Uganda. The number ranges anywhere from 2,500 to 5,000.
Most of the girls, who were prepubescent youth or teenagers at the time of their abduction, were forced to become sexual slaves of LRA fighters. Those who managed to escape returned with children. They came back traumatized and hardened by the war.
Amoi is a young woman in her early 20s who bore three children while in captivity. She is still fearful of retribution for the war and only identifies herself by her middle name.
Amoi says that when she returned to Uganda in 2002 she expected a warm welcome from her family. She says she was shocked by what awaited her. She was banished from the family land in Lira and is now forced to rent a small plot of land to grow food for her young family.
Amoi says her situation was desperate for several years. She only received a break recently when she obtained a loan from a micro finance organization.
Amoi is a member of Gen Obanga, an association formed by former LRA abductees.
Another member, who requests anonymity, says that like Amoi, she too has no access to land to build a house or cultivate. She says she and her children were rejected by their Bungatira sub-county in Gulu and are forced to live on handouts.
She says her children are regularly the subject of ridicule in her village and she cannot escape the shame of her captivity by the LRA.
The stories of the two women are included in a new compilation called ‘Ododo Wa.’ The compilation is a project of the Our Stories Program, which is documenting the experiences of women in captivity.
Ketty Anyeko, the program officer, says ‘Ododo Wa’ was initiated to give prominence to unrecorded experiences of war. She says that through the stories, the plight of the LRA victims will receive national prominence and cause a meaningful debate on post-war recovery.
Anyeko says it is hoped that the project will also encourage affected communities to reconcile with the victims and aggressors of the war.