UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
region’s community,
and successfully
integrated a number of
former NALU fighters.
200
However, local support
waned as the ADF
started committing
various atrocities
against civilians,
including massacres,
abductions, forceful
conscription of
children into the
rebellion, mutilation,
and destruction of
property and general
devastation of the
land. During the ADF
attack on Kicwamba
Technical Institute in
Kabarole District in
1998, for example,
over 200 civilians
(mostly children) were
abducted, and around
80 were killed. 440
One of the biggest impacts of the conflict was the massive displacement of between
150,000 and 180,000 people. At the height of the insurgency, these individuals resided
in 84 camps in Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Kasese Districts, in all of which living conditions
were appalling. 441 Affected communities are still living with the unaddressed legacies
of this period. A number of participants emphasised that the ADF conflict remains
unresolved, as peace talks have never been held. Despite the successful cessation of
hostilities between the ADF and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Kasese
district, 442 participants warned that the ADF was mobilising intensely, thus posing a
threat to peace and security in the area. In key informant interviews, locals and officials
at the border post in Mpondwe stated that ADF cells are active in the DR Congo, where
at present between three to five thousand ADF soldiers are training with the intention
of attacking Uganda. 443
440 Ibid
441 Kyaddondo, D. et al. (2002) The challenges and hopes for protection and resettlement of internally
displaced people in the Rwenzori Region, with policy recommendations. Oxfam, Kabarole Research
Institute and DED-Uganda
442 The State House of Uganda (2012) President advises people of Kasese to live harmoniously [Internet],
Available from:
[Accessed 13 October 2012].
443 Research conducted in Kasese District (key informant interviews with local leaders)