UGANDA

23
THEMATIC ISSUES
People had no real choice
as to whether or not they
would stay in their village or
move to a camp. Even if they
escaped being targeted by
the rebels, they ran the risk
of being considered rebel
collaborators by Government
and victimised as such. 21
In northern Uganda, the
conflict between the LRA and
the GoU had displaced 1.8
million people by the end of
2005. 22 As in Bundibugyo, the
UPDF was criticized for not
offering sufficient protection
to citizens in the IDP camps
and, in some instances,
for committing atrocities
themselves. 23 In particular,
the massacre at the camp in
Barlonyo raised questions
amongst participants about
the Government’s intentions
for the encampment of
citizens. It was widely believed
that the lack of protection
either demonstrated a
lack of Government will to
protect people in camps, or
exposed a lack of capacity
to do so. Participants in
Pader said that the military
was partisan and always
suspicious of people in the
camps, rather than working
in a spirit of protection.
Forced displacement, as such,
to focus on returnees and remaining IDPs in transition to development. Refugee Law Project (2003) Displacement
in Bundibugyo District: a situation analysis. Working paper no. 10. quoting African Rights,
Avoiding an Impasse: Understanding Conflicts in Western Uganda. (Mimeo 2001)
21 Ibid
22 United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2012) UNHCR country operations profile –
Uganda
23 See for example Refugee Law Project (2003). Displacement in Bundibugyo District: A situation analysis.
working paper no. 10