UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
Limitations of Current Forms of Reparations
Most participants in the NRTJ Audit pinpointed the selective manner in which reparations
are currently provided to victims of conflict. 699 They acknowledged that some reparations
(compensations) have been granted, such as in the case of the victims of the Kampala
bomb blast and for a few individuals and families in Teso, West Nile, Central and Western
sub-regions. 700 However, they perceived these initiatives to be reserved for those who
have connections to President Museveni, and to be the result of political campaigns or
personal sympathy; such reparations, they argue, do not entail acknowledgment by the
Government of its failure to adequately protect Ugandan citizens. 701 These perceptions
underscore a lack of coordination both in the promises made by the President and the
Government, and in the implementation of those promises. 702 In Nakasongola, veterans
expressed their disillusionment with what they saw as false promises, and stated that
they would never attend another meeting on compensation as it was a waste of their
time. 703
Furthermore, communities expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of any consultations
on reparations. 704 In instances where compensation has been granted, it often benefitted
politicians more than the victims because those responsible for administering the funds
lacked knowledge about the needs on the ground. 705 Participants observed that some,
but not enough, of the war-affected communities had benefited from new schools, and
that programmes in the north such as the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan were
too broad and non-transparent, and did not focus enough on war-affected areas. 706
For participants in many districts the primary concern was a complete lack of, rather than
merely the selective distribution of reparations. In Bulambuli and Kitgum, communities
continue to demand Government compensation for the cattle that were lost to the
Karimojong. Similarly, in Nakapiripirit, communities are calling for compensation for lost
property, stolen cattle, and surrendered guns as well as for more access to vocational
training. 707 While there have been some initiatives in conflict-affected regions in the
North, East and West of the country, both Nakasongola and Bundibugyo have not yet
received any form of reparation, according to participants. 708 Informants in Lira also
claimed that no livelihood support existed for victims. 709 Overall, participants in many
districts highlighted the absence of a policy framework to deal with reparations. 710 They
argued that this absence demonstrates a lack of commitment by the Government to
national healing, delays the recovery of affected communities, arouses victims’ anger
toward the Government and the perpetrators, and causes envy toward the select few
699 Research conducted in Arua, Pader and Kasese Districts
700 Juba Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation (2007), Clauses 9 and 11
701 Implementation Protocol to the Agreement on Comprehensive Solutions (2008), Clauses 26-28
702 Research conducted in Hoima, Adjumani, Gulu, Mbarara and Mubende Districts
703 Research conducted in Mbarara and Gulu Districts
704 Research conducted in Mbarara, Gulu, Hoima, Tororo and Mubende Districts
705 Research conducted in Adjumani, Hoima, Lira, Kitgum and Gulu Districts
706 Research conducted in Nakasongola District
707 Research conducted in Nakasongola and Adjumani Districts
708 Research conducted in Nakasongola District
709 Research conducted in Lira, Tororo and Kitgum District
710 Research conducted in Bulambuli, Kitgum and Nakapiripirit Districts
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