UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
The opening up of political space in Uganda as a result of the 2005 Referendum led
to the emergence of numerous political parties and multiple divisions based on party
affiliation. The daunting conflict between the leaders and supporters of the National
Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), two rival
political parties, has been manifested openly in verbal and physical confrontations,
inciting their followers to resistance and violence. Further, many accusations have been
made, for instance, that FDC leader Kizza Besigye was linked to People’s Redemption
Army rebel group (for more information, see “western level conflicts”)
and that the NRM framed rebel groups to implicate some
members of the opposition. 202
Participants from all the districts described ongoing conflict
between political parties as one of the major causes of the lack of
peace and equitable development in Uganda. They warned that if
this conflict is not addressed, it is most likely to drag the country
into national anarchy, given the fact that it has caused antagonism in
all the communities and sectors in Uganda. Participants wondered
why this conflict always intensifies during campaign and election
periods, and then continues in different forms, 203 especially during
processes of resource allocation and distributions, appointments,
promotions and demotions in public offices, and service delivery
throughout the country.
30. Buganda Riots (2009)
In September 2009, a Government decision to block Kabaka Ronald
202 Research conducted in Mbarara District
203 Ibid
98