SITUATION ON THE GROUND
- Government of Uganda consultation going on
- Rumors of split in LRA ranks
- Heavy torrential rains in northern Uganda
- UN Special Envoy to LRA & GoU war visit
The ongoing consultations by the Government of Uganda’s (GoU) delegates on the Juba peace process are proceeding positively. They are intended to involve the communities in the North with the peace process. Out of the three meetings Oloo attended two were well attended and community participation was promising.
In the month of October, there were some unconfirmed rumors about problems within the LRA ranks, in particular concerning the split between Kony and his deputy Vincent Otti. These rumours stirred uncertainty among the returning IDPs.
Mid September and most part of October saw an unusual weather pattern in northern Uganda, with heavy torrential rains destroying crops and disrupting lives. Many road networks in the north got cut off, houses destroyed and general health and sanitation put on pathetic conditions. This made the GoU to declare a state of humanitarian tragedy in the north. It also affected the return of IDPs, some of whom were not able to go to the North due to the floods.
The former Mozambique president and UN envoy to the LRA-GoU war affected area made a confidence building visit. He was to meet the delegates and the facilitators to the Juba peace talks to review the progress so far. Unfortunately he was unable to meet LRA top commanders face to face due to the bad weather.
ACTIVITIES
Project Director Oloo Otieno made trips to the three districts of Amuru, Pader and Kit Gum spending two nights in each district, meeting partners and local government officials. The intention was to strengthen relationship and make NP presence known and seen. Another point was to monitor the effects of devastation after heavy rain most part of northern Uganda.
During this trip he got an opportunity to visit some villages and saw that some families had returned back to the camps and shopping centers. He did meet some government officials, local partners contacts on the ground and humanitarian agencies.
Oloo attended also the Gulu peace walk. This is an annual international event where people of good will support of peace in Gulu march to rally international support and recognition to end war in the north. Many INGOs attend the event, the guest of honor for this year event was Danish Ambassador who reiterated the need for the GoU and LRA to stick the peace process to the end.
Other tasks he has been working on in October were fundraising and registration, and working with the elected NP bodies to support their decision-making on the Uganda proposal.
(Written by Oloo Otieno)