This issue of Field Notes focuses on young mothers who have returned from the captivity of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Mothers are a social group that has not figured widely in the justice, reintegration or reconciliation debate in northern Uganda. Yet a number of justice related concerns were raised by young mothers during the course of JRP research, suggesting the urgent need for a more forward-thinking approach at the Juba Peace Talks.

To stimulate this discussion, the Field Note focuses on the following questions: a) What are the cultural norms, beliefs and practices around marriage in Acholi-land, and how have these been affected by the conflict?; b) What implications have abduction, forced soldiering and forced marriage had on the practice of marriage for young mothers who are no longer in captivity?; c)What are the possible justice and reconciliation issues policy makers need to be aware of and address in the current peace process?

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