Presentation For NRTJ Audit Briefs

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION & TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE AUDIT
BRIEF 1 : GULU DISTRICT

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BEYOND JUBA PROJECT www.beyondjubaproject.org 2011 -2012
Main objectives of the NRTJ Audit To document community perspectives on
NRTJ AUDIT 2011 -2012
post-independence armed conflicts across Uganda To identify and assess the outstanding reconciliation and transitional justice needs related to each of these conflicts
BRIEF 1 : Gulu District
Methodol ogy
NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012
Three field teams comprising four researchers and one videographer visit twenty-one selected districts equally distributed over the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central regions in Uganda. In each district, concerned civil society organisations are contacted. The teams conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with four different groups namely adult women, adult men, youth and representatives of civil society and local government. There are fifteen participants in each FGD and the discussions take the whole day. FGDs are split into two parts, and follow a simple structure: The morning is spent Looking Back, at conflicts, their causes, their impacts, and the stakeholders involved, while the afternoon is for Looking Forward at the possible justice mechanisms that could be used to address the legacies of conflicts identified as well as sending messages to key persons and institutions. In the course of each FGD, key informants are identified for further consultation. Findings are recorded on flip charts, through nearverbatim note taking, and on audio- and video recorders. Preliminary Findings are presented initially in these Briefs. The final output will be a Compendium of Conflicts in Uganda, supported by video documentation
BRIEF 1 : District
Focus Group Discussion Guide PART 1: LOOKING BACK

A. Is Uganda at peace?
Gulu
Conflict
Timeline (national/regional/district/village )
C. What were the Impacts? B. What were the Causes behind the conflicts you have identified?
D. Who were the
Stakeholders?
Victims Perpetrators - Beneficiaries - Bystanders - Spoilers - Peacebuilders
-
Focus Group Discussion PART 2: LOOKING Guide

FORWARD
A. How does it feel to be talking about the history of this country?

WELCOME BACK - Reminder of purpose of
second half: from looking back to looking forward
RECONCILIATION AMNESTY
TRADITIONAL JUSTICE
PROSECUTIONS MEMORIALIZATION
B. 1. What does JUSTICE mean to you? 2. Has JUSTICE been done to the stakeholders? How do you think justice can be done? What would you like to see in the following processes?
TRUTH-TELLING
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT REPARATIONS
CHANGES IN LAW / INSTITUTIONS
C. What Messages do you have for key persons and/or institutions?

GULU INFO.
DISTRICT
Gulu District is perhaps one of the districts worst affected by the well-known conflict involving the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU). Over 90% of the entire population was displaced at the height of the conflict in 2003. Gulu District is bordered by Amuru District in the West, Kitgum District in the North, Lamwo District in the North East, Pader District in the East, Lira District in South East and Oyam District in the South. It is part of Acholiland, homeland of the Luo speaking Acholi. The conflict, however, opened Gulu to a large contingent of other 3/14/12 ethnic groups and
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Map of District Uganda show s ing
BRIEF 1 : District
Map of Gulu District

Gulu
Introduct ion
This Brief is based on data collected from Gulu District from 19th to 23rd September 2011. The FGDs with adult women and men, and youths were conducted in Awach Sub-County, Aswa County, approximately 29 kilometers north of Gulu Municipality. The FGD with civil society and local government took place in Gulu Municipality. Awach sub-county was chosen because of its deep experience with atrocities. At one point in the northern conflict, Awach Sub-County was arguably the hub of LRA operations. The preliminary findings below reflect opinions, perspectives and narratives expressed in the different FGDs and key informant interviews.
BRIEF 1 : District
Gulu
LOOKING BACK
Pa st
Conflicts in Uganda
When asked whether Uganda is at peace, the majority of participants acknowledged the relative peace in northern Uganda citing the I was born in war silence of the guns. They all however pointed period and grew up out that in holistic terms, Uganda is not at in wars and up to peace given the multiplicity of conflicts now I have never experienced at all levels. Participants expressed seen peace, and I restlessness amongst citizens and lack of peace of mind. Many victims of the LRA conflicts, they thought that is how said, are still struggling to survive. Several life should be, I problems in society were pointed to as signs think it is a life and symptoms of absence of peace, such as style. children who are still in captivity, internally - Youth in Awach displaced persons (IDPs) who are unable to return, numerous simultaneous strikes and demonstrations, use of police and tear gas to fight civilians standing up for their rights, general suppression by the government, ongoing recruitment of military personnel by the government as a sign of preparation for war, the Kampala bomb blasts of September 2010, political conflicts, election malpractice, biting national inflation, rebellion e.g. the LRA Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on question, amongst others.
BRIEF 1 : District
Gulu
Conflicts Timeline: National

1 9 6 6 1 9 7 1 1 9 7 9 1 9 8 1 1 9 8 5 1 9 8 6 1 9 90 20 00
The participants from Gulu District viewed conflicts in their region outcome of long historical patterns traceable in Ugandas turbulent history. Participants identified a number of episodes of conflict as significant for understanding the history of conflict in the country, region, district and village, and explained them as follows: 20 10
NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012 as an
The Lamogi Rebellion (1911): Bush War (1981-1986): The The NRA Anti-colonial insurrection guerrilla war under the supreme command of The Kabaka Crisis (1966). Conflict between the (1985). General Yoweri Okello Military Councilsuffering on Museveni caused untold Kabaka of Buganda and President Apollo Milton Obote Tito Okello Lutwa beyond. It also The Killing of people within the region and overthrew Obotes culminating in an attack on the palace of the King of initiated peace second government. He tensions Breaking of ethnic Brigadier Okoya escalated already existingNairobi Peace Jokes Buganda by the Ugandan army.and forced the with takeover (1986): late Museveni that talks Itin Musevenis Nairobi (1971) exacerbated between northerners and southerners Kabaka Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa II into violated PeaceNairobi Peace resulted in the exile andthe Nairobi Agreement Amins Coup Museveni tensions between the preceded the abolition of (participants in termsto this on January as Kingdoms referred and Agreement 26th (1971) Langi tribes Agreement Uganda. Acholi and and reign ParticipantsThe war that this Nairobi Peace Jokes) argued led to hatred of the 1986 the NRA guerrilla in of terror from 1971 waged by the Uganda National fighters captured Obotes army and northernersLiberation Front (UNLF) (1979). In the by people to 1979 power from Tito Okello Lutwa. This would become part of in Central Uganda, distorting1979, relationship between north and south up to now. sparked several the the reasonUgandan freedom fighters backed by insurgencies as rebel for the Tanzanian Peoples Defence emerged in different parts of the groups Force (TPDF) coup against Obote overthrew Amin through a joint military country operation Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on
1 9 1 1
Conflicts Timeline: Regional
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 20 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 6 7 80 8 8 8 92 6 1 6 7 8 One of those rebellions was led by the Uganda Peoples Democratic Army (UPDA) (1986-1988). Initially, there was a group of people called Holy Spirit Movement did not support government. Later, the Cilil (Go and tell) who (1986-1988). This initially mild UPDA religious movement was founded by Alice Auma Lakwena who commanded by Odong Latek and comprising 1987 by former primarily Karimojongs in The looting cattle in claimed she was a healer and of the national army under Obote messenger of the Holy Spirit, UNLA (Uganda National Liberationwith the NRA, and to a lesser extent by Lakwenas collaboration Army, sent who defend Gods Kingdom and defeat the new to organized themselves from Sudan, and took up arms II) soldiers forces. According to participants the spirituality cattle raiding The Uganda government run Peoples Army (UPA) (1987-1992). Meanwhile, former by revenge and extinction by the NRA. Indeed, Museveni. Her charismatic Karamojong against the NRA in fear of was activelyThe group was defeated to remove wealth from encouraged by the NRA, rebel attracted many followers. forces of the UNLA also formed massive the NRA, soldiers of the special from Tito Okello, embarkedin Jinjaain the group in In after capturing Acholi people. NRA soldiers also joined in power on a the looting. Teso, led her spiritual the UPA. They opposed Musevenis government Peter Otai: 1988, when by the campaign targeting some former powers had faded. soldiers, many of made. The government later compensation were army Some of her cases, promises for and fought the Karimojong who had come to raid cattle, with support of whomfighters joined looting inspired many youths toFagia and in to protectand were Acholi. ThisLRA or rebelinvolvedin Teso. join rebel forces Bucoro the campaign groups roadblocks, encampment, NRA atrocities, primarily during Operation an end through mediation by the local population. The rebellion came to arbitrary 1988, torture, indiscriminate killings, rape and the burning of Anaka. Inarrests,the NRA launched Operation Fagia (Sweeping), led by Gen. Salim family the property. The cattle. between the UPDA and NRA finally Teso Commission. houses and conflict Saleh. Soldiers were instructed to kill every living thing, even trees. The operation ended in a an ultimatum to the civilian population in Gulu June 1988, started with peace agreement signed in Pece on the 3rd of to leave their villages signed by Okello Okenno. Former UPDA commander Odong town as and move to camps in Sir Samuel Baker school, Pece in Gulu Latek, and Bungatira well as other fighters, joined the LRA. within 24 hours. Before the 24 hours had elapsed, army soldiers started committing tek gungu, (rape of men), defecation in food, the burning of houses and the killing of civilians. In 1991, a battalion with soldiers from Luwero who wanted revenge committed atrocities in Bucoro, such as burying people and then suffocating them with chemicals. In the that this field brief reflects community perspectives on Please remember same year, similar atrocities took place in Anaka.
Conflicts Timeline: District

1 9 7 1 1 9 80 1 9 8 6 1 9 8 7 1 9 8 8 1 9 90 20 00

20 12
The Lords Resistance Army (LRA) (1987 to date). At the time of Lakwenas HSM, Joseph Kony started the Opio & Ocen Insurgency (1987-1988): LRA activities as it is a vast LRA. Awach was a hub of Opio & Ocen stretch of fighters who started their smallwere twins and former UNLA land with few settlements. Joseph Kony was ordained in a church in in Dog Abera scale rebellion as traditional healers basedAwach and is said to have spiritual numerous fire that cannot them forest in Gulu. There were powers (a clashes between be extinguished) . The LRA committed defeated in Corner and the NRA until their fighters wereterrible atrocities like abductions, Kitgum and buriedsexual enslavement, mutilations and killings of civilians. in a mass grave.
Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on
Conflicts Timeline: Village/Household
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 20 20 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 00 10 8 8 8 90 9 6 7 7 5 of the most significant characteristics of the 8 6 6 1 9 Encampment of civilians was one 7 conflict involving the UPDA and later the LRA and the government. In Gulu, it Pigi-ligi War (1988 to date) (war between came in three phases: in 1988 (in Sir Samuel Baker School and the spirits of in Gulu Town), the 1996, when all people were ordered to leave their village Jo Pa Won dead and the living) is believed to have started in 1988 in 1990 and finally in (1987) (or, the Holy Spirit Movement Bucoro, Awach Sub County, because of within 48II) was It was argued people were forced in camps as a military strategy hours. led by Sevirino Lokoya, the father of the blood of innocent people, Lakwena, when her as late Alice Auma food by recruitment, andwell a way to shed there. Spirit to deny rebels access to killed andboth the NRA Holy LRA, that wasprotect people Movement the spirits will not be appeased and get a decent was defeated. It was from abductions. If context of insurgency indefeated almost there were burial, Boo Kec: In the also a they will continue to northern Uganda, social problems, cause multiple immediately. number of armed robbers who were acting underincreased because the disguise of rebels, but nightmares and madness. Domestic violence has without an agenda. Participantsand encampment legacy: men were of the war referred to them as boo kec (meaning greens are bitter, in other alcoholism increased and people are too former idle, words, we want to eat meat) Many were Land rebels, home guards traumatized to resolve conflict amicably. reason have or Local Defence Units and for that region, land Conflicts: In the weapons; conflicts have taken over where LRA atrocities stopped and where IDPs started to return home.

Power struggle, domination and oppression
Causes & Impacts

Lack of proper demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants

for
Greed power
Vengeance
Causes
Colonial policy of divide and rule
Failure to honour peace agreement s
Impact s
Degradation from selfsufficiency to dependency An inclination to fight for privileges and power
An inclination to fight for privileges and power
Moral degeneratio n
Grave human rights abuses
Causesunderlying the All FGDs identified several factors as

cycle of conflicts:
Colonial policy of divide and rule. The British made Buganda superior over all other tribes, setting the stage for national disunity and tribalism, which became a national disease. People were further divided along religious lines by missionaries.
Power struggle, domination and oppression. Struggles over power started with the colonial governments deportation of Kabaka Mutesa to Seychelles Island. Obote later stormed Kabakas palace, also forcing him into exile in London, where he eventually died. This caused the Baganda to hate northerners. Greed for power. The greed for power is the reason why many coups took place in Uganda since the 1970s. Lack of proper demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants. When Tito Okello Lutwa was overthrown, the NRA did not demobilize his soldiers, but instead launched operation Fagia (see above). This forced many of them to form or join rebel groups that fought the government so that they would escape the NRA.
every change of regime comes with their own tribes to be soldiers and to occupy government and political positions.
Causes of conflicts (cont.)
the failed Nairobi talks caused great mistrust against Museveni and made peaceful resolution of conflicts difficult with him. () This accounts for failure to honour the Juba Peace Talks.
Failure to honour peace agreements. The Agreement with Tito Lutwa Okello was not honoured by Museveni. Vengeance. In all FGDs the spirit of revenge was discussed. For example, Amin revenged on the Acholis and Langis, and Obote revenged on the West Nilers. It was argued the spirit of revenge continues in the current government, explaining why the north and other regions are complaining of marginalisation; Overstaying in Power. Heads of state usually cling to power because they are afraid to lose economic and political power and do not want another tribe to take over. Election malpractices. For example, Museveni went to bush after the 1980 elections over allegations that Obote rigged the elections. The cycle continues with Besigye accusing Museveni of election malpractice. Superstitious beliefs. Lakwena was believed to have
NRTJ Audit 2011 Nairobi Peace -2012
magical powers and attracted followers who believed they would not die. Unfair allocation and distribution of resources and jobs. Women and Children rights. Indiscipline in children can be attributed to the prohibition on caning. Women no longer respect their husbands and sometimes beat them. When a man beats a woman, however, the police will intervene.
Land conflicts are caused by greed, misinformation by elders to the youth, confusion by politicians, the population increase, and the IDP resettlement process.
NRTJ Audit 2011 The above conflicts have had profound impacts not only on the lives and -2012
Impacts of conflicts
Negative
well-being of people, but also on different institutions and infrastructure.

Grave human rights abuses including torture and massacres by all parties in the conflict.
Displacement. In 1966 the Kabaka was forced out of this country into exile. Subsequent presidents like Obote, Amin and Tito Lutwa Okello and close associates were also forced into exile. In West Nile after the fall of Amin, many soldiers ran to Sudan. In 1986 after the fall of Tito Lutwa Okello, many northerners ran into exile in Sudan to organize themselves. During the LRA/government conflict, over 2 million people were displaced into camps. Abduction & forceful conscription of children as child
Positive
Some people benefited from the war, such as LRA relatives who received money. (See beneficiaries Conflict below.) exposed the affected community to business since there was an opportunity for trade in IDP camps.
soldiers into rebel forces. Destruction of infrastructure such as schools, roads, hospitals and bridges. Moral degeneration was brought about by camp life. Parents had no privacy and lost control of their children. Eroded culture and loss of good cultural practices that unite the people. and contagious diseases emerged. Unexplainable Some were brought by soldiers e.g. ebola and hepatitis B and E. The nodding disease was allegedly caused by relief food. An increase in armed robbery is destabilising peace in northern Uganda.
Impacts of conflicts (cont.)
Increased rate and prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Negative
An example was cited of a Minister asking a judge during a corruption inquiry: Where were you when we were fighting?
Looting of Acholi cattle by Karamojong and NRA soldiers and the undermining of wealth in Acholi. Hatred and revenge amongst Acholis because of terror inflicted by LRA fighters coming from different communities. A strained relationship between the Acholis and the Langis, West Nilers and Itesots due to the LRA violence, further adding to the level of tribalism in Uganda. The President continues to cling to power as a way of escaping accountability and justice. An inclination to fight for privileges and power, as a result of unequal allocation and distribution of resources throughout the country. Impunity. High-level government officials remain unaccountable and protected by the state because they claim they are Ugandas liberators. This encourages citizens to attain power through Dysfunctional families. Conflict caused an increased number of undemocratic means. child headed families and single parent headed families. A ruined future for children and youths. Because of the war in the north (the encampment and the running) youth cannot compete with the rest of their countrymen in terms of job placement and Degradation from self-sufficiency to dependency of people in opportunities for further education. the north. Disability and deformation caused by land mines and other Trauma and madness. explosives. Rape of both women and men, undermining masculinity and causing trauma and bitterness.
STAKEHOLDERS
Confl icts
Victi ms
Victims
In the different conflicts discussed, children and women were identified as the most affected categories of people. Both men and women became victims of rape. Men were raped by government soldiers only, whereas women were raped by both government soldiers and LRA soldiers. Other victims included war orphans, the Acholi and Langi tribes, LCs, RCs, community leaders, weak men, persons with disabilities who were unable to escape from rebels, fighters, youths who were conscripted for fighting, the business community, priests, abductees and humanitarian workers (e.g. the Red Cross), elderly who were burnt in houses, civil servants (like teachers and doctors) and journalists. There was a general consensus that each person fell victim to the different conflicts in Uganda, especially the conflict by the LRA and NRA, although different parts of the country were affected in different ways. There are those who are directly affected and those who are indirectly affected. Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on
Perpetrat ors
A long list of people, groups, and organizations were perpetrators of violence and other atrocities committed during the different conflicts experienced in Uganda. These include:
NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012 raised as
Government soldiers in atrocities in e.g. Bucoro and Anaka (including Gen. Salim Saleh, Fred Rwigyema, Paul Kagame and Kizza Besigye) Participants lamented that though the government army had a duty to protect civilians forced into IDP camps, instead they were perpetrators of violence LRA commanders (including Joseph Kony, Onen Kamdulu, Kenneth Banya, Otti Vincent)
Ugandans in Diaspora who supported the LRA The Government of Sudan who also supported the LRA Arms dealers Those who have no heart for forgiveness NRA and LRA collaborators in the community The media when spreading false information
At the household level, men and women in marriage are both perpetrators and victims.
Beneficiari es
NRTJ Audit 2011 Much as the wars experienced in northern Uganda were -2012
disastrous and costly, many people seem to have benefited in different ways: Government through foreign aid that was meant to stop the war but was instead diverted Soldiers who fought in Congo e.g. the late General James Kazini allegedly came back with a lot of timber and gold looted from Congo The peace teams, traditional leaders and lawyers who were used as legal experts during consultations with Kony
NGOs, their employees and church leaders exploited the war to get money from abroad (Relatives of) LRA fighters, fund raisers, collaborators and informers were rewarded

Mediators were paid huge sums of money
The business communities who supplied UPDF/LRA with uniforms and ammunitions
The media who used the war to sell their papers and musicians who sold their music Witch doctors who claimed they could protect you against bullets Some UPDF commanders obtained personal benefits out of the war.
Bystander s
Participants provided the bystanders in the conflicts:
following
NRTJ Audit 2011 examples of -2012
Government took too long before they opted to negotiate peace The United Nations and African Union failed to send
peace keepers to northern Uganda at the time when Kony was committing multiple atrocities in the region Neighbouring countries of Uganda e.g. Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania
The Uganda Human Rights Commission saw violations were committed, but took no action and did not openly condemn the violations
Government officials and donors failed to stop the killing of protesters and spraying of demonstrators with pink colour in the recent riots
Household neighbours see domestic violence but do nothing to stop the fighting
Traditional leaders had the capacity to dialogue with the fighters of the LRA and the government but kept quiet in the initial period The international community did not intervene to prevent the LRA from terrorising northern Uganda.
The following were identified by all groups as spoilers; The government sabotaging efforts from international community to bring peace President Museveni in giving an ultimatum to LRA during peace negotiations Opportunists who served in different regimes giving illadvice to ensure positions Politicians and their parties Leaders prioritizing personal over public interests International funders of war The International Criminal Court (ICC). Its indictment prevented Kony and his fighters to come out and denounce rebellion Media involved in propaganda Sudan supporting the LRA Parents of LRA fighters Gun manufacturers Banyankole herdsmen in Acholiland who provided the NRA with intelligence.
Spoil ers
NRTJ Audit 2011 Participants in each FGD came with long lists of people they consider to have played an -2012
important role in peace building. Among them were the following; The Media: a lot of participants mentioned Radio Freedom and later Mega FM who featured programmes promoting return by LRA combatants under amnesty, such as Dwoke Cen Paco (come back home). This programme is believed to have played an important role in encouraging defections and escapes Members of Parliament from Acholi sub-region and northern Uganda generally were constantly mentioned as peace builders for standing up for the plight of their people Traditional cultural leaders including the Acholi Ker-Kal Kwaro and the paramount chief and other chiefs who risked their lives to talk peace Religious leaders like Bishop Odama and Ochola and all other members of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative Joseph Kony and Vincent Otti for accepting to negotiate in Juba and withdraw their fighters from northern Uganda President Museveni for keeping the peace talks option open even though he preferred military solutions Peace mediators like Betty Bigombe and Dr. Riek Machar for offering to mediate between Kony and Museveni and restoring relative peace through the cessation of hostilities Konys mother for accepting to travel to Garamba and talk to Kony to come out of the bush which led to confidence building Government officials like Rugunda for accepting to risk their lives in search of peace talks with Kony; Local artists who composed peace songs and contributed to local healing Traditional leaders who facilitated return and reintegration of ex-LRA combatants Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on
Peace Builders
LOOKING FORWARD
Fut ure
Talking about conflicts in Uganda
NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012 When asked how participants felt talking about the different
conflicts and their legacies, the majority said it was important to talk. The following are highlights of what different participants said they felt;
I felt its an opportunity to get over my suffering. It is unpleasant to talk about the past because it brings a haunting recollection of unaddressed past abuses and violations that make the people blame past leaders and their tribes thereby causing more tribal hatred.
Talking about the past will help right the wrongs committed in the past thus paving way for healing.
Perceptions of Justice
NRTJ Audit 2011 When asked whether justice has been done to the stakeholders -2012
involved in the conflicts, all participants stressed that this has not been the case. When asked what justice would mean to them, these were the major responses: It means compensating victims for their losses and suffering during the war.
Justice means addressing violations that have been committed and avoiding repetition.
It means acknowledging wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness.
Transitional Justice Mechanisms

Reconcili ation
All participants agreed that reconciliation is a process that should include truth, acceptance, acknowledgement, apology, asking for forgiveness and forgiveness and compensation that should include both state and non-state actors. According to a male participant, amnesty has created a foundation for reconciliation, as it brought people out of the bush. Amnesty can also give people a reconciliatory mood. Reconciliation is not possible in a climate of fear. It was argued that grass root level leaders are in a better position than Government to reconcile two parties on the ground
Psychos ocial The majority of the participants acknowledged the importance of Support symbolic reparations (e.g. memorial
sites). They however emphasised that such memorials should be communitydriven. Participants in all FGDs pointed out that compensation is key in reparation, but currently done selectively by authorities in power without a national framework. The participants acknowledged some selective payments and pledges are made by the President (such as to the Kampala bomb blasts victims), but argued they were political campaigns more than proper reparations. The lack of a national reparations policy in Uganda retards recovery of war affected people.
Truth-telling was considered indispensable for healing and reconciliation. Some suggested truth-telling begin at community level, others focussed on a national-level Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In any case, some methods for truth-telling were regarded as inappropriate and potentially dangerous to the involved individuals and their close ones as long as they lack protection mechanisms. Whereas participants treasured the need for national reconciliation, the majority valued reconciliation and truthtelling more at a community level with traditional leaders at the centre of the process. This could then inspire a discussion on national reconciliation in Uganda. The need for national reconciliation was emphasized by civil society and local representatives. Pleasegovernment remember that this field
brief
On memory and memorialization, the majority of survivors of violence in Gulu acknowledged the power of memory and advocated for organized mechanisms that would enable them to remember and live positively with the reality of past violent experiences. They looked at themselves as living memories of the people brutally and innocently killed. They suggested the following: Building monuments Memorial sites Organizing annual memorial activities such as prayers which they said would help them live positively with the offensive memories as they reflects community perspectives
Memoriali zation
Truth Telling
on

Most participants expressed disappointment in prosecution processes in Uganda. Some wondered why formal court process and the judicial system seem to favour the rich and those in power. Across all FGDs, participants acknowledged developments with regards to prosecution in Uganda, especially the recent Kwoyelo trial and indictment of top LRA commanders by the ICC. At the same time they were wondering why state actors who perpetrated or participated in committing atrocities/violence are not prosecuted and why grave human rights abuses and violations before 1986 are not being dealt with in a legal manner There was a general feeling that fear for accepting responsibility for actions/wrongs committed in Uganda inspires perpetrators to lie and take advantage of the formal justice system The participants expressed mistrust of formal justice processes and institutions. They
Please remember that this field brief
Participants in all FGDs stressed that the different conflicts have affected and (further) weakened many institutions in Uganda. This is one reason why institutions in Uganda need a series of reforms to make them relevant, functional and beneficial to the citizens. The institutions most frequently named as in need of reforms were the police, the army and the judiciary. It was argued Parliament should be independent of external interference. Some participants also suggested that the heads of such institution must be vetted where necessary by reflectspublic. the community perspectives
Prosecut ion
Instituti onal Reforms

on

Tradition al Justice Amnesty
Traditional justice was considered key to return and reintegration in northern Uganda. Many pointed out that local rituals like mato oput are complementary to formal justice systems: Participants suggested that formal justice processes should borrow conflict sensitive principles from local justice practices such as mato oput, as such practices are rich and widely accepted and trusted; The majority viewed traditional justice processes as more appropriate for mending broken relationships and addressing conflicts and their aftermath. Mato oput was often quoted as a significant way to do justice related to killings that occurred in the war. It was also stated, however, that the lack of resources constitutes a problem.
Concern was expressed with regards to the fact that psychosocial issues, especially post traumatic reactions, are daunting in Gulu District, yet there are no governmental rehabilitation centres and programs to deal with post-conflict traumas. The participants said: Most of the services are inadequate and are provided by CSOs that are rapidly closing their programs; The majority of participants expressed bitterness over losses incurred during the violence. They lamented that government does not seem to consider an agenda for remedial actions. They claimed this negatively affects the healing process and ability of the affected people to live peacefully with one another and support and appreciate other government programs. Amnesty contributes to reconciliation as rebels are encouraged to leave the bush and communities are put in a reconciliatory mood. However, after amnesty is granted, rebels should come down to the community (approaching the Rwot Mo) seeking for cleansing, forgiveness and integration for justice to be done.
Participants were invited to direct messages to any person or institution to peace and justice. Nearly all focussed on ensuring that conflict does not reoccur in Uganda, and to have one united Uganda for a peaceful nation. Below are some of the key messages: empty Stop making
promises about compensation of war victims as it is intensifying anger and negative memories about the past. You should compensate LRA victims and come up with special programs to support war orphans and A widows. sh s ac ou a al co ld m p re l m b re pe cru sta od e sid av rso itm ke ate fl en ex t, an ail nn en hol d ab el t de vie ible [ re yo r w so se mu tea le s of ; an u] ct ne c in in or ra he h tha c fr d s. ti rs ea t m rea om on a lt th ed s nd h ey ica e c ad ent are l d r ac res es ro s ss Monitor/follow up recovery projects meant to support war affected communities, so that it benefits the affected community. re rfe nt e e nt t i rliam the no Pa o D in d y. n iciar a Jud
eful eac lve p reso
Messages to Leaders/Institutions
NRTJ Audit 2011 with regards -2012
There should be no election in Uganda because the President, unlike local leaders, is unchangeable through election.
opt Ad s to way lict. f con
Parliament: Become empowered to handle and manage your own affairs without interference say from the President.
Acknowledge ments
The research team comprised of Veve Richard, Wamimbi Jimmy, Aliobe Joan, Opiny Shafic and Okot Bernard Kasozi as team leader. This briefing note on which this presentation is based was written by Okot Benard Kasozi with valuable input from Annelieke van de Wiel and Stephen Oola. Presentation prepared by Opiny Shaffic, with inputs from Chris Dolan and edits by Angella Nabwowe.
Watch this space for Brief 2: Adjumani district

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NATIONAL RECONCILIATION & TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE AUDIT

BRIEF 1 : GULU DISTRICT

BEYOND JUBA PROJECT www.beyondjubaproject.org 2011 -2012

BRIEF 1 : GULU DISTRICT

Main objectives of the NRTJ Audit To document community perspectives on

NRTJ AUDIT 2011 -2012

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

Focus Group Discussion Guide PART 1: LOOKING BACK

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

D. Who were the

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Focus Group Discussion PART 2: LOOKING Guide

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

second half: from looking back to looking forward

PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT REPARATIONS

CHANGES IN LAW / INSTITUTIONS

C. What Messages do you have for key persons and/or institutions?

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Click icon to add picture

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

Map of District Uganda show s ing

Map of Gulu District

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

Conflicts Timeline: National

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012 as an

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Conflicts Timeline: Regional

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Conflicts Timeline: District

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Conflicts Timeline: Village/Household

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Causes & Impacts

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

Colonial policy of divide and rule

Failure to honour peace agreement s

An inclination to fight for privileges and power

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Grave human rights abuses

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Causesunderlying the All FGDs identified several factors as

NRTJ Audit 2011 -2012

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BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

Causes of conflicts (cont.)

NRTJ Audit 2011 Nairobi Peace -2012

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BRIEF 1 : Gulu District

well-being of people, but also on different institutions and infrastructure.

Please remember that this field brief reflects community perspectives on

BRIEF 1 : Gulu District