UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
men and
women. Also in Kitgum, the involvement of human rights
organisations that established themselves without taking time to understand the context
in which they operated was considered detrimental. World Food Programme was faulted
for registering women as Heads of Households for purposes of relief distribution.
It was said that, during the time in the camp, organisations “looked at women as
responsible people to be in the control of the food aid which deprived men of their rights”
and that as men lost their authority, children would go to mothers for decision-making.
The sense of disempowerment amongst men caused alcohol abuse, anger and violent
behaviour.
In addition to the frequent discussions of men’s violence towards women, a number of
men also talked of women beating men. As one man in Kitgum said;
“If you visit prisons, you will find many women there
because of murder, because they think they are practicing
their rights.”
Participants described how the difficult relationship between men and women has
resulted in the breakdown of families and the neglect of children. 33
It was also said that encampment led to a distortion of culture and moral degeneration.
33 See the section on ‘The conflicted relationship between men and women’ for further discussion
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