UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
The agreement promised a number of dividends including amnesty to ex-combatants,
4.2 billion Ugandan shillings to be distributed to the defunct UNRF II through the
involvement of a Liaison Committee, and guarantees of development for the entire
region. It is generally considered a success as it brought about a negotiated end to the
conflict rather than a military solution. However, despite these promises, there remained
a strong residue of resentment. Apprehensions were voiced about the Government’s
commitment to the peace dividends and there was a perception that not all victims of
the war had been adequately acknowledged in the negotiated settlement. Significant
numbers of civilians questioned why ex-combatants received resettlement packages,
while those who suffered atrocities at the hands of the WNBF and the UNRF II were
asked not to seek restitution. 273
The UNRF II is recognised as the only rebel group that openly denounced rebellion and
‘reconciled’ with both the Government and the community through a multi-pronged,
transparent, and relatively successful peace process following the enactment of an
Amnesty Act in 2000. Many of the rebels integrated into the community with the
option of joining the national army. Bamuze himself was integrated into the Uganda
People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). However, while the signing of the peace agreement
was a symbolic end to the conflict and the beginning of a process of reconstruction and
reintegration, numerous long-standing legacies of the conflict still need to be addressed.
WEST NILE
Present
Ongoing conflicts in West Nile are mostly related to national level discontent by
citizens over region-specific manifestations of marginalization and poverty. These
conflicts are not armed but still cause significant social and economic problems.
47. The ´Big Man in the Forest´ conflict (2009 – present)
The ´Big Man in the Forest´ refers to President Museveni’s brother Salim Saleh, who is said
to have occupied the Biafra Forest Reserve. While Saleh established himself in the forest
under the pretence of setting up a temporary camp from where to pay ex-soldiers, many
participants, including ex-soldiers, indicated that few were actually paid. 274 Moreover,
many believe that the camp was used as a political tool for Museveni in the 2011 general
elections. 275 In Arua, people complained that they were not consulted and that forest
land has been cleared to pave way for the construction of houses. The situation now
seems to have escalated into full-fledged land grabbing.
273 Ibid
274 Research conducted in Arua District; Butagira, T. and Okello, F. (2012) Saleh named in Arua land grab.
Daily Monitor [Internet], 22 September. Available from:
[Accessed 26 September 2012]
275 Research conducted in Arua District; Butagira, T. and Okello, F. (2012) Saleh named in Arua land grab.
Daily Monitor [Internet], 22 September. Available from:
[Accessed 26 September 2012].
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