The over 20 years armed conflict between the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have
perpetuated a severe humanitarian crisis marked by varying degrees of insecurity; massive internal displacement of approximately 1.6 million people into more than 200 camps in the Acholi (Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum and Pader Districts) and Lango sub-regions (Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Lira and Oyam).The violence has affected the lives of the most vulnerable populations including children and women comprising 80 percent of internally displaced persons (IDP), under direct targets of attacks, sexual violence and abductions.The nearly 25,000 children abducted since the late-1980s, 7,500 are girls of whom 1,000 returned from LRA captivity having conceived and borne children of their own.The signing of an addendum to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA) originally signed in August to further define the locations and timeframe for the LRA to assemble; has had numerous suspensions with LRA, allegation of violations of the CHA by the UPDF.Since the start of the recent violence in October, more than 150 people have died in the clashes including children and women and by the end-November, approximately 1,000 people remained internally displaced.The
Government’s resumption in May of its forced disarmament programme to address insecurity created by the illegal possession of firearms to some Karamojong, witnessed deteriorating security conditions in Kotido, Kaabong and Abim caused by armed confrontations between the UPDF and Karamojong
warriors.The opposition parties like Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Ltd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Conservative Party (CP) leader, Ken Lukyamuzi, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Abed Bwanika, former presidential candidate, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) Leader Miria Kalule Obote, and among other party leaders, criticized the governments excessive use of for to disarm the Karamojong warriors.Reports of human rights abuses committed by both the UPDF and Karamojong warriors raised and UNICEF joined other UN agencies in formally expressing its serious concern about the impact of escalating insecurity on the lives of children and families, calling for restraint by all arms carriers in relation to the disarmament and urging national and local authorities to undertake all measures to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable civilians like children and women.The current phase of the war in northern Uganda is widely perceived to be a continuation of the conflict in Luwero Triangle (1981-1986), which is a perceived clash between the Buganda Monarchy and the Central Government back in 1966. Concerns of the LRA in Northern Uganda are attributed to many factors to have fuelled the bitterness and henceforth provided reason for the continuous war. The destructions of the productive capacity epitomized by the loss of livestock throughout the region far beyond the reach of the Karamojong warriors, added credence to an already firm belief that the Government was intent to annihilate the peoples of the region.Adverse effect of ethno-linguistic fractionalization on income, growth, and economic policies offer an explanation for Africa’s poor growth performance.The prospects for peace in northern Uganda are reputable and achievable; but it requires more efforts and commitments by the Ugandan government, International Community and all stake holders to be part and percale of the process for achievement in the spheres of national reconciliation upon which lasting and sustainable peace will be attained.
Writer; Balaba AsumanA student of B. Mass Communication Makerere University-Uganda. Phone. +256752536771