UGANDA

THEMATIC ISSUES
complained that this is prevented by the political reality of divisionism and ‘tribalism’.
One participant in Kitgum commented;-
“If your tribe is not in power, you do not feel at peace.”
Some participants from northern Uganda commented that they were made to feel like
a “lesser Ugandan.” When they discussed their real or perceived marginalisation as
compared to other regions, they rhetorically asked the question “Are we not Ugandan?”
Elders in Acholiland lamented that besides the unfortunate lack of nationalism and
national pride, youth also no longer carry their Acholi identity with pride. Several
participants in the north commented that, if it were possible, they would rather separate
from Uganda and have their own country: “the Republic of Northern Uganda.”
Participants around the country claimed that members of the President’s ‘tribe’ are
greatly advantaged in terms of access to political power, employment and wealth. A
youth in Arua said, in this regard,
“Today’s Uganda belongs to one tribe and everybody knows
that. I got a job because I have a western name. Many of my
colleagues had to change their name to sound western to
even get called for an interview.”
It was argued that some Banyankole behave as if they ‘own’ the country. In Hoima, a
Banyankole/Balaalo was quoted as telling a sub-county chief:
“Who are you? You are in charge of the sub-county, but we
are in charge of Uganda.”
GOVERNANCE AND MILITARISATION IN CONFLICT
Participants around the country attributed many of Uganda’s
conflicts to strong interlinkages between Uganda’s
system of governance and patterns of militarisation.
Throughout Uganda´s history, the military has been
used as a tool to gain and maintain power, and
has increasingly grown in importance in Uganda´s
political landscape. Participants considered this
dynamic an impediment to good, fair, democratic
governance by the rule of law.
Militarisation was traced back to the colonial
time, when the British established the army and
monopolised the use of weapons such as guns.
When the institution of the state was introduced
in Karamoja, the Karimojong started referring to it
51