Category Archives: Publications

Transitional Justice Quiz 2012

Special Campaigns,

The Transitional Justice IQ Gauge is a quiz competition for young people designed to connect youth from different parts of northern Uganda to build a critical mass around transitional justice.

Guided by the theme “Every Body counts; Voices of Young People in Transitional Justice”, selected schools within Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya, Amuru and Gulu Districts will be competing to scoop the district title in order to compete for the regional prize. To make the competition interactive, the audience will be expected to contribute questions that will be asked to the competing teams for additional marks.

Regional Competition

Thursday, 20th September 2012 Starting at 09:00 Venue: Sir Samuel Baker School – Gulu

Taking place on the eve of the International Day of Peace, the final event will see the district winners compete for the regional title. The event will be officiated by a celebrated TJ practioner and attended by key stakeholders.

 Participants:

  • Awere S.S. – Gulu
  • Restore Leadership High School – Amuru
  • Pope John Paul VI S.S. – Nwoya
  • Kitgum High School – Kitgum/Lamwo
  • Pajule S.S. – Pader

District Competitions

Pader District

Monday, 10th September 2012
Starting at 09:00
Venue: Pader Girls Secondary School
The following schools will be competing for the District title;
1. Pader Girls S.S
2. Acholi Bur S.S
3. Lagwi Seed S.S
4. Pajule S.S

Kitgum District
Tuesday, 11th September 2012
Starting at 09:00
Venue: Refugee Law Project/National Memory and peace Documentation Centre ((NMPDC)

The following schools will be competing for the District title;
1. Kitgum High School
2. Y.Y Okot Memoril School
3. Padibe S.S
4. Palabek S.S

Nwoya District

Wednesday, 12th September 2012
Starting at 09:00
Venue: Pope Paul VI, Anaka

The following schools will be competing for the District title:
1. Pope Paul VI S.S
2. Koch Goma S.S
3. Alero S.S
4. Purongo Seed S.S

Amuru District
Thursday, 13th September 2012
Starting at 09:00
Venue: Lacor Seminary Sacret Heart School

The following schools will be competing for the District title;
1. Lacor Seminary Sacret Heart School
2. Keyo S.S
3. Restore Leadership School
4. Pabbo S.S

Gulu District

Friday, 14th September 2012
Starting at 09:00
Venue: Sir Samuel Baker School

The following schools will be competing for the District title;
1. Sir Samuel Baker School
2. Sacret Heart S.S
3. Awere S.S
4. Gulu S.S

 

Voices Magazine Issue 2

Newsletters & Magazines,
Voices Issue 2 - September 2012

Since it is currently at the centre of transitional justice debates in Uganda and other post-conflict societies, the topic ‘reparations’ was chosen as the theme of the second issue of JRP’s quarterly magazine Voices.

Contents

An elderly victims’ cry for reparations

Veronica Eyotaru narrates the story of her experience during the infamous Ombaci Massacre

A poem written by the Women’s Advocacy Network’s Di Cwiny Group in memory of all the children who died in captivity and never lived to come back home.

Nancy Apiyo explores the views on reparations gathered from women during storytelling sessions

An analysis of Uganda’s past ad hoc reparative initiatives

An American student relates the personal impact of hearing the story of a teenagers’ abduction and the friendship it created.

Email voices@justiceandreconciliation.com to have your voice heard in the next issue of the magazine.

Download the entire issue here – Voices Issue 02

 

Obalanga Cover

The Day They Came: Recounting the LRA’s Invasion of Teso Sub-region through Obalanga Sub-county in 2003, FN XIV

Field Notes,
Obalanga Cover
A survivor of the helicopter bombings in Angica B displays a bomb shell from the helicopter gunship, and survivors display injuries they received at the hands of the LRA.

In June 2003, the LRA infiltrated Teso sub-region in eastern Uganda for the first time. The civilian population and the government army were caught unaware, a factor which had disastrous humanitarian implications. In line with their trademark pattern of atrocities, the rebel soldiers carried out killings, abductions, maiming, looting, rape burning and pillaging. By the time the UPDF repulsed them almost 8 months later, approximately 90% of the population in Teso sub-region had been displaced into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, several thousand children had been abducted and thousands of people had lost their lives and property. This report explores the impacts of the LRA incursion into Teso sub-region using case studies and victims’ testimonies from Obalanga sub-county in Amuria district, in addition to making recommendations to relevant stakeholders.

Erratum: 

Please note that the following change have been made to Field Note XIV

The heading:

“Appendix D: Identity Cards of Some of the Victims Who Perished in theHelicopter Gunship Bombings in Angica B and Morungatuny”

has been ammended to read

“Appendix D: Identity Cards of Some of the Victims and Survivors of the Helicopter Gunship Bombings in Angica B and Morungatuny”.

Read the Field Note here: The Day they Came – Obalanga – Erratum Sept 2012

Situational Brief on Truth-Telling in Northern Uganda

Statements & Briefs, ,

On Tuesday 18th July 2012, the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) released its long awaited study on traditional justice and truth-telling. The one day launch event took place at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. The report contained findings of a study on traditional justice mechanisms of tribes all over northern Uganda, and truth telling mechanisms. The report made policy recommendations on adoption of a national policy on truth-telling and traditional justice.

Following the launch of this report, JRP’s Community Documentation department decided to conduct a brief situational analysis on truth-telling within local communities, to analyze local perceptions and opinions on the subject. The situational brief has eight questions assessing the areas of:
• Community members’ knowledge on truth seeking process;
• Relevance of a truth seeking process
• Types of truth they would like revealed
• Timing of the truth seeking process and whether it is overdue or not
• Methodology; truth commission vs local level truth telling
• Leadership; who do they think should lead the process
• Consequences of a truth seeking process
• Voluntariness; Whether the process should be voluntary or not.

The situational brief was conducted in Awach, Koch-Goma, Lukodi, and Gulu Town. Read the findings below (PDF format):

Situational Brief – Current Perceptions on Truth-Telling in Gulu District

Amnesty consultations Barlonyo

Who Forgives Whom? Northern Uganda’s Grassroots Views on the Amnesty Act

Statements & Briefs, , , ,

JRP Amnesty Policy Brief CoverTo read the full briefing, click here.

Overview
After more than twelve years in force, Uganda discontinued ‘blanket’ amnesty for reporters on 25 May 2012 by allowing Part 2 of the Amnesty Act of 2000 to lapse. With positive developments in the creation of a transitional justice (TJ) framework and a shifting of the armed conflict to neighboring countries, the continued relevance of Uganda’s Amnesty Act of 2000 had been fiercely debated in recent months in high-level discussions between government and civil society, with many asking, “What should be the future of the Amnesty Act?”

Recognizing the absence of greater North grassroots voices in many of these debates, especially from a gendered perspective, the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) carried out a series of consultations from 21-27 March 2012 in conflict-affected regions of northern Uganda—including West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Teso—to discern the views of those most directly impacted by and benefitting from the Act on its role, achievements and continued relevance. As subsequent sections of this paper reveal, the consultations unveiled mixed views at the grassroots level on the past and present relevance and equity of the Act, yet reached overwhelming general consensus for the renewal of the Act with amendments. Such amendments were seen to better address the justice needs of both victims and perpetrators, while ensuring the sustainability of an already fragile peace.

Draft versions of this brief were circulated prior to the Act’s expiration to inform the Justice, Law and Order Sector’s (JLOS) decision to abolish, renew or renew with amendments Uganda’s Amnesty Act. However, with the JLOS Leadership Committee’s subsequent decision to abolish amnesty, this brief seeks to contribute to the Government of Uganda’s ongoing consultative and policy-making process to integrate elements of conditional amnesty into a national TJ policy.

To read the full briefing, click here.

Published with financial support from UNWOMEN under the Women’s Access to Justice in Conflict and Post-Conflict in Uganda Programme.

Disclaimer: The views represented in this brief do not necessarily represent the views of UN Women.

Voices Iss1 2012 cover

Voices Magazine Issue 1, 2012 (Amnesty)

Newsletters & Magazines, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Voices Magazine Issue 1, 2012 (Amnesty)

Click here to view.

Voices Iss1 2012 cover
Cover of the first edition of JRP’s Voices magazine

This is the first issue of the Justice and Reconciliation Project’s (JRP) latest publication, Voices magazine. JRP’s mission is to empower conflict-affected communities to participate in processes of justice, healing and reconciliation, and this magazine aspires to do just that. By providing a regular, open platform for victims and key stakeholders to dialogue on local and national transitional justice developments, we will be “sharing victim-centered views on justice and reconciliation in Uganda” each quarter.

The theme of this first issue is amnesty. With Uganda’s Amnesty Act up for expiration, renewal or renewal with amendments on 24 May, we have sought to present the views of the war-affected communities where we operate. In this issue, key stakeholders like Michael Otim of the International Center for Transitional Justice (pg 13), Ismene Nicole Zarifis, International Technical Advisor on TJ for JLOS (pg 6,) and members of the JRP team address the important question: What should be the future of Uganda’s Amnesty Act? Like all of our work, we hope this collection of views contributes to the policy-making process currently taking place in Kampala, and links the grassroots with the decision-makers.

Click here to view.

Note: If printing on a B&W printer, we recommend you print this grayscaled version.

2011 Annual Report

Reports, , , ,

This annual report outlines JRP’s accomplishments over the past year and highlights our commitments to bringing grassroots communities together to galvanise efforts for justice and human rights. It outlines key activities from the Community Documentation, Community Mobilization, Gender Justice and Communications departments and is a selection and general overview of our outputs and accomplishments in 2011.

To download the report, click here.

Oduru (Alarm): A Poem by the Women’s Advocacy Network, 8 March 2012

Statements & Briefs, , , , , , , , , , ,

Oduru (Alarm)
A Poem by the Women’s Advocacy Network for International Women’s Day 2012
PDF

This year, as we join the world in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) wishes to emphasize the unique peace, justice and reconciliation challenges faces women survivors of armed conflict. In line with this year’s theme, “Connecting girls, inspiring futures,” a member of the Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN)—a JRP-supported forum for conflict-affected women to undertake gender justice advocacy—has prepared a poem that highlights some of the issues facing formerly-abducted women and the need for stakeholders and communities to listen to women’s calls for justice.

Wululu Wululu Wululu
Lutuwa  oduru  yang ka okok lwak  ringo kama oduru okok  iye do
Piny dong oto
Piny dong oto ada

Wa lworo piny calo lee tim malworo got
Wa lworo piny kwe
Wa lworo Wa lworo Wa lworo

Oduru ki wango doo
Oduru pek
Oduru lit
Oduru longo

Aneno tungi ki tungi
Mutu piny mede ameda
Gwoko ajula dong odoko tek
Lutino ma pe wa yube pire
Anyim gi tika bibedo tye
Anyim gi binen awene

Lweny Lweny Lweny
Lweny, kono yang wangeyo gang pa meni kono ber
Kadi obed kumeno kwo pud yube

Wun lwak wun gamente, wun NGOs, wun lutela wa
Wucung kwed wa
Wu pee cing wa
Wuwiny koko wa
Wulok kwed wa

Mon obedo guti
Wu nyut it wa maa
Wek wabed calo dano adana
Wek anyim wa obed maleng
Wawek tim alany
Wek oduru ogik koko

Poem Explanation by the Authors
The poem was written by members of the Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN). Cognizant that the war in northern Uganda affected us, the war-affected women, in various ways, we are calling for justice, healing and reconciliation.

In this poem, we note the ongoing challenges we face, such as the quest for reparations and other forms of redress from various stakeholders, which we compare to a wild animal wondering about the mountains. We also note the challenges in raising children we were not prepared to have (children born in captivity, ajula), whose futures are blurred and who lack basic needs, a cultural identity and access to land.

The poem’s title, Oduru, means raising an alarm. In the past when one would hear a person alarming, he or she would know there was a problem and in turn run to the source of the cry. In this context, we believe that what befell us during the war merits attention, and we hope in hearing our calls you too will run to our side.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2012, we call upon stakeholders to respond to our cries for justice, healing and reconciliation for ourselves and our children. Despite the challenges we face, we are hopeful that our futures and that of our children can be bright if you listen and respond to our oduru.

About WAN
The Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN) is a forum for war-affected women to advocate for justice, acknowledgment and accountability for gender-based violations inflicted during war. It was formed in May 2011 with support from JRP and aims to empower women survivors to participate in post-conflict policy debates in Uganda and to engage grassroots communities in gendered discussions on reintegration and reconciliation. The WAN currently comprises of 9 women’s groups from Acholi sub-regions, with plans to expand to Teso, West Nile and Lango in 2012. The WAN meets quarterly to discuss common issues, including the need for compensation and other forms of reparation, the rights of children born of forced marriage in LRA captivity and strategies to end social stigma by communities.

About JRP
The Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) promotes locally sensitive and sustainable peace in Africa’s Great Lakes region by focusing on the active involvement of grassroots communities in local-level transitional justice. To learn more about JRP’s work, please visit www.justiceandreconciliation.com. For comments related to this poem, please email info@justiceandreconciliation.com.

Click here for the PDF.

Julius Alisonga lawyer of Kwoyelo speaks after ruling

Updates on the High Court Ruling of Ex-LRA Commander Thomas Kwoyelo

Statements & Briefs, , ,

Updates on the High Court Ruling of Ex-LRA Commander Thomas Kwoyelo
Kampala, 27 January 2012

By Evelyn Akullo Otwili

Julius Alisonga lawyer of Kwoyelo speaks after ruling
Kwoyelo's lawyer, Julius Alisonga, speaks to the media after the January 25th ruling.

Summary
On 25 January 2011, ex-LRA commander Col. Thomas Kwoyelo appeared before the High Court of Uganda in Kampala. Presided by Justice Vincent Tiwangye Zehurikirize, the Court ordered the Amnesty Commission and the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) to grant Kwoyelo a certificate of amnesty and immediately release him.

To read more, click here.

To Pardon or to Punish? Current Perceptions and Opinions on Uganda’s Amnesty in Acholi-land

Statements & Briefs, , , , ,

To Pardon or to Punish? Current Perceptions and Opinions on Uganda’s Amnesty in Acholi-land
Situational Brief: December 15, 2011

To read the full brief, click, here.

Uganda’s Amnesty Act of 2000 offers pardon to “any Ugandan who has at any time since the 26th day of January, 1986, engaged in or is engaging in war or armed rebellion against the government of the Republic of Uganda.”1 In northern Uganda, amnesty has been instrumental in fostering and encouraging the return of thousands of ex-combatants and abductees. The Amnesty Commission’s database indicates that, as of the 22nd August 2008, 22,520 former rebels have reported and been granted amnesty since the entering into force of the Amnesty Act (AA) in 2000. Approximately 48% of the reporters have been former members of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Recently, on the 22nd September 2011, Uganda’s Constitutional Court ruled that ex-LRA commander Colonel Thomas Kwoyelo – charged with 12 substantive counts and 53 alternative counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity – was entitled to amnesty in line with Uganda’s 2000 Amnesty Act. The court ordered his trial to be halted forthwith. However, this court ruling attracted mixed reactions from national and international actors. While some applauded the court ruling and amnesty alike, others condemned both. At a national workshop on amnesty in Kampala on the 18th November 2011, this divide was evident with some parties calling for the amendment of the amnesty law. Even in the war-affected regions, where the amnesty law has been instrumental in fostering the return of thousands of ex-combatants, mixed reactions prevail among the local population. Although research on amnesty in northern Uganda has been carried out previously, there is no topical prospect concerning the current situation. Pending review and possible extension and/or amendment, Uganda’s current Amnesty Act is slated to expire in May 2012.

Against this background, the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) carried out a rapid situational analysis between the 28th November and 06th December 2011 in the sub-counties of Bobbi and Unyama (Gulu district) and Koch Goma (Nwoya district), and Gulu and Kitgum towns to gauge the perceptions and opinions on amnesty and whether it is still relevant today in post-conflict northern Uganda. In this research, we spoke to 44 respondents – with a gender ratio of 26 male to 18 female – including local leaders, religious leaders, victims, formerly-abducted persons, and other community members, along with representatives of civil society organizations in Gulu town.

The analysis revealed that an overwhelming majority of our sample group still strongly support amnesty and consider it as vitally important for sustainability of the prevailing peace, reconciliation and rehabilitation. From this survey, a resounding 98% of respondents thought that the amnesty law was still relevant and that it should not be abolished. This situational analysis presents these perceptions concerning the relevance and role of amnesty and provides recommendations to policy-makers, organizations operating in these areas, as well as institutions working with victims and formerly-abducted persons.

To read the full brief, click, here.