Tag Archives: uganda

“Uganda: How you can help,” Washington Post, 9 March 2012

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“Uganda: How you can help,” Washington Post, 9 March 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/uganda-how-you-can-help/2012/03/09/gIQANxuE1R_blog.html

By Elizabeth Flock

Whether or not you support the very viral Kony 2012 campaign created by the charity Invisible Children, Joseph Kony and the child-recruiting Lord’s Resistance Army he leads are undeniably brutal. Uganda, where the LRA has long operated, has been ravaged by conflict for decades.


Villagers sit in the back of a Ugandan army truck as they are moved to a safe area from the site of a massacre carried out by the Lords Resistance Army in 2004. (KAREL PRINSLOO – AP) The country suffered grave atrocities under the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin in the 1970s. Since the LRA, a violent religious and military group, began operations in Uganda in 1987, it has abducted and forced about 66,000 children in the country to fight with them, according to the World Bank. Nearly 90 percent of the region’s population has been forced to leave their homes. And while the LRA has weakened in recent years, Uganda, with a population of 32 million, continues to suffer from serious human rights problems. A U.S. State Department report in 2010 gave a chilling list of abuses, including arbitrary and vigilante killings, trafficking in persons, sexual abuse of children and the ritual killing of children. It is worth reading the entire list here.

Since BlogPost began covering the Kony 2012 campaign Wednesday, many readers have expressed in e-mails or in the comments that they would like to better know how to help Uganda. Below, we have rounded up a partial list of the many groups doing aid work in the country. Some of these charities have ratings or reviews on Charity Navigator or Great Nonprofits to help you make a choice; others do not. The Web site for Invisible Children is here, or watch their film first below:

Oxfam Uganda

Oxfam, an international oganization that works to fight poverty and injustice, focuses in Uganda on supporting people affected by conflict, lobbying for peace and working to better livelihoods, especially in the north. View its Web site here.

The International Rescue Committee Uganda

The IRC works internationally to help people rebuild after humanitarian crises. In Uganda, where the IRC has been since 1998, the committee works to protect women and children from violence and encourages education, peace and development. It also helps small farmers and businesses. View its Web site here.

BRAC

BRAC says it is the largest NGO operating in Uganda, and has been in the country since 2006. Its focus areas are health and education, women and girl empowerment, and microfinance for the poor. BRAC claims to have reached more than 2 million Ugandans, and says 10,800 students have graduated from its schools, which operate in post-conflict zones in the north. View its Web site here.

The Refugee Law Project (RLP)

The RLP works to ensure human rights for asylum seekers, refugees, and internally displaced persons in Uganda. It offers legal aid as well as counseling, clinical and mental health services. View its Web site here.

Grassroots Reconciliation Group (GRG)

GRG works in northern Uganda to rehabilitate former child soldiers and help reconcile them with their communities. The group says it has assisted 525 former child soldiers and their communities on micro-finance, counseling, and livelihood projects such as agriculture and goat-rearing. View its web site here.

African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET)

AYINET provides physical and psychosocial care and rehabilitation in the Uganda’s war-affected northern region. It specifically works to support victims of brutalities suffered at the hands of the LRA, through medical rehabilitation or the promotion of youth leaders who will work for peace and justice. View its Web site here.

Christian Counseling Fellowship (CCF Pader)

CCF is a community-based organization in Pader, northern Uganda. Its goal is to promote Christian values and provide education, child protection, health care and livelihood opportunities to war-affected women and children.View its Web site here.

Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP)

JRP, in Gulu, northern Uganda since 2005, works to empower war-affected communities by getting them to participate in the processes of justice, healing and reconciliation, and involving them in research and advocacy. View its Web site here.

Gulu Support the Children Organisation (GUSCO)

GUSCO is an indigenous NGO that works to promote the well-being of conflict-affected children in the north. It provides psycho-social support, capacity building of communities, education, advocacy and peace-building. View its Web site here.

St. Mary’s Lacor Hosptial

The hospital, founded in 1959 by Catholic missionaries, says it provides diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive medicine services for more than 300,000 patients annually, half of whom are children younger than 6. View its Web site here.

Caritas Uganda

Caritas Uganda provides access to food as well as initiatives for democracy-building, gender equality and HIV/AIDS eradication. View its Web site here.

The need for a gendered approach to justice and reconciliation in northern Uganda

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When the guns go silent, everything might seem peaceful, but for the victims of gross violations, the wounds still fester.

Many violations in northern Uganda conflict were perpetrated on the basis of gender. For instance, women and girls, boys and men were subjected to sexual violence and sexual slavery in various forms. Both men and women were raped with impunity. Young girls were abducted and forced into ‘marriage,’ unwanted pregnancies, sexual slavery and labor against their own will. Women and girls in the former IDP camps suffered rape and defilement by rebels and government soldiers. Oftentimes, this violence was perpetrated to torture the victims physically, psychologically and socially, and the impacts are horrifying.

Experiencing these violations has left open wounds in the hearts of the victims, who are pleading for healing and closure. After experiencing such abuses, many victims have not received adequate psychological, social or physical rehabilitation in order to live a comfortable life in the communities. Others are forced to come face-to-face with abusers who have never acknowledged wrong-doing, which constantly reminds survivors of the harms they suffered. More so, gender roles have changed because of the conflict and mass displacement, a challenge the returned communities are grappling with and which often fuels domestic violence in the homes.

What then should be done to address the plight of these victims?

Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights notes that, “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Yet, most of these violations inflicted on civilian populace were aimed at torturing, dehumanizing and punishing with no reason. What does it mean for a man to be raped by a fellow man? It is not ‘done for fun,’ but to degrade him. Consequently, this has led to depression and suicidal tendencies in many survivors. How well can we design our justice policies and programmes to suit the gender specific needs of victims, such as those of Tek gungu (male rape)? Many times when we talk of rape, people assume we are only talking about women. Such limiting runs the risk of excluding certain victims from post-conflict debates.

With these few notes, I would like to call upon different transitional justice stakeholders and all working in post-conflict societies such as northern Uganda to ensure that policies and programmes take into account the gendered nature of violations that occur in conflict in order to deliver gender justice to the victims of such abuses. It’s important that a response is proportionate and relevant to the degree of harm suffered by the victim, particularly those harms perpetrated by the fact that they were women or men, young girls or young boys. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestion on how gender could be incorporated into policy debates or post-conflict programmes such as reparations, traditional justice or accountability for violations.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s remember our brothers and sisters who are living with open wounds and seeking for justice, healing and closure after experiencing sexual and gender-based violence.

-Ketty Anyeko
JRP Gender Justice Team Leader
kanyeko[at]justiceandreconciliation.com

Oduru: A poem for International Women’s Day 2012

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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.

To view the poem, titled “Oduru” or alarm, click here.

Members of the WAN will be performing the poem at today’s district celebrations in Gulu. Pictures are coming soon!

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

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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.

Kwoyelo is remanded back to Luzira

High Court orders Kwoyelo’s immediate release

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Kwoyelo is remanded back to Luzira
Despite the Court's ruling, Kwoyelo is remanded back to Luzira Prison.

On Wednesday, ex-LRA commander Col. Thomas Kwoyelo appeared before the High Court of Uganda in Kampala. JRP’s Evelyn Akullo Otwili was there to follow the ruling, in which 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 the full 1-page update, click here.

 

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

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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.

“State ignores court ruling over Kwoyelo,” Daily Monitor, 13 Nov. 2011

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“State ignores court ruling over Kwoyelo,” Daily Monitor, 13 Nov. 2011
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1271924/-/bgurw8z/-/

By Moses Akena and David Livingstone Okuuu

Former Lord’s Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo was on Friday whisked off to prison despite a ruling by the International Crimes Division of the High Court set ting him free.

Justice Dan Akiiki Kiiza ordered for the release of Kwoyelo following an order by the Constitutional Court.

“We hereby ceased the trial of the accused person (Kwoyelo) alias Latoni forthwith. And consequently we hereby direct the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Amnesty Commission to comply with the provisions of the Amnesty Act,” said Judge Akiiki.

Mr Frank Mayanja Baine, the Prisons spokesperson, last evening confirmed the continued detention of Kwoyelo, saying he is still facing two other charges.

“We work on documents and for someone to be released on amnesty, he or she must have a certificate, which Kwoyelo has not got, to be released. Once he gets the certificate and other documents for his release then we shall release him,” he said in a telephone interview.

Kwoyelo’s mother, Ms Rosolina Oyela, said she was surprised by the incident because she expected to go back home with her son.

His lawyer Francis Onyango, however, declined to comment on the matter. “I have no comment because there is a Supreme Court case over the issue,” he said.

Civil society want reconciliation
The court, however, did not mention the Supreme Court appeal.

Civil society actors in the region reiterated their call for reparations to war affected communities in northern Uganda, and reconciliation.

Mr Lino Owor Ogora, the head of research and documentation at the Justice and Reconciliation Project, said the way forward is to reconcile Kwoyelo with the victims in Pabbo.

Kwoyelo is the first LRA commander to be prosecuted for crimes committed during the two-decade war in northern Uganda that left thousand dead and millions displaced. He was captured in 2008 during Operation Lightning Thunder in Garamba Forest, eastern DR Congo.

The ICC in 2005 issued an arrest warrant for five top LRA commanders, including their leader Joseph Kony, Dominic Ogweng, Onen Kamdul and two others who died in the bush. Kony is said to be operating between Central African Republic and Sudan.

Mukura theatre day 16Sept2011

Mukura Community Theater Performance, 16 Sept. 2011

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[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cvqq8KO6tM’]

On September 16th, 2011, the Justice and Reconciliation Project facilitated survivors and families of those killed in the 1989 Mukura massacre to hold a community theatre performance on a transitional justice issue of their choice. The performance was part of our ongoing engagement with the Mukura Memorial Development Initiative, or MUMEDI, and the Kumi Network of Development Organizations, KUNEDO, and aimed at generating discussion among the community on how to best seek justice and reconciliation after the conflict in the area. The drama’s script and theme was entirely drafted by the actors.

This drama is also part of a community theater pilot program through JRP’s Community Mobilization department. Other similar performances have been facilitated in Lukodi, Abia and Yumbe, and videos will be posted in the coming weeks.

Copyright © 2011 Justice and Reconciliation Project