Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Uganda

Humanitarian Update Uganda Sep 2004 Volume VI, Issue IX

I. SECURITY
SECURITY OVERVIEW

Like July and August, September has been a relatively quiet month with fewer security incidents particularly in Gulu district. However, the situation in Kitgum and Pader remains more insecure, with reports of abductions, road ambushes and killings of civilians through the month. In Teso (Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido districts) and Lango (Lira and Apac districts) regions, the security remained calm through the month. The month saw the number of incidents reported in Lira continue to fall although rumours of LRA crossings and sightings continued to be reported. The situation in northern Lira district remains fluid and unpredictable because of its proximity to Pader district.

DISTRICT SECURITY UPDATE

Gulu - The Opit-Lalogi-Awere belt and Awach areas remain the most insecure in the district with many reports of IDPs and other civilians being killed while accessing their farms. There have been several reports of ambushes along the Opit road to the west of Gulu town, and the Awach area to the north-east. In one incident, reported in late September, eight people were killed in Awor village, about 7 kms from Bobi camp. They had remained in their homesteads instead of moving to Bobi camp, which is 24 kms south of Gulu town. These killings by the LRA may see an increase in population movement into Bobi IDP camp, whose influx/displacement had stabilised at about 20,000. Unlike the previous two months in Gulu, September saw fewer LRA combatants surrender and more of them being captured during battles with the UPDF.

Kitgum - The month saw an increase in armed attacks by the LRA on IDP settlements and major routes in Kitgum, resulting in abductions, deaths, injuries and loss of property. Among the worst cases reported was the hacking to death of seven women in Kitgum Matidi on 6 September; the execution of eight persons in two separate incidences in the north of Kitgum towards Padibe on the 8 of September and two successive roadside ambushes on the road to Padibe during the latter part of September. In a seemingly desperate search for food, rebels were reported have harvested crops planted by IDPs.

A group of about 25 rebels were spotted in northern Kitgum region (Padibe, Palabek Kal and Gem and Lokung). LRA presence was also reported around Omia Ayiama in Kitgum, 43km east of Kitgum town and there were reports that three rebel commanders - Odiambo, Bunia and Kapere - were operating in both Kitgum and Pader districts. Meanwhile, Pader witnessed less LRA incidences in September compared to Kitgum.

Like in the previous two months, Teso region had no reports of LRA attacks or sightings reported in September. However, there were occasional attacks from the Karimojong cattle rustlers.

In Lira, September registered a number of attacks and abductions, the major ones were as follows;

Between 30 August and 3 September, about 10 LRA operated in Okwang and Apalla sub-counties, where three civilians were killed and two abducted. During the same week rebels attempted to enter Barr sub-county but were repulsed by the UPDF; Some rebels under Odiambo attempted to enter Orum sub county from Pader but were repulsed; On the morning of 6 September, about 10 rebels entered Aromo sub-county in Erute North from Gulu and abducted 12 people from Ogur village; and on 12 September, a Karimojong cattle raid in Omoro sub-county claimed two civilian lives.

II. IDP MOVEMENT AND CAMP ISSUES

Gulu - Due to the continued improved security environment, the number of night commuters has reduced, according to UNICEF, from 20,040 in early August, to 19,822 in the period 6-11 September 2004. However, following reports of Kony's re-entery to northern Uganda, an increase in night commuter numbers to 21,514 was noted in a joint inter-agency assessment done 1-4 October 2004 in Gulu. Meanwhile, WFP reports that following Government's clarification on the issue of gazetted/non-gazetted camps there may be an additional 17 camps in Gulu, instead of the 13 that organisations/agencies were planning for. A comprehensive list of all camps is available in WFP.

Teso - In Teso sub-region, IDPs are now moving close to their areas of origin in larger numbers, thereby, increasing access to their farmland. Consequently, major sub-county camps are getting decongested. This movement is posing a great challenge to the military, who have expressed concerns about meeting the security needs of the additional rural camps that are emerging close to IDPs areas of origin.

Lira - Like in Teso, Lira IDPs are moving from urban to rural camps nearer to their homes of origin. However, there is no mechanism in place to monitor and accurately document the movements for all camps. In Omoro camp for example, the population in June 2004 was 11,750 and by September 2004, the number had increased to about 17,000. Most of the rural camps are receiving people from the camps in Lira Municipality. However some urban camps remain congested, and the district and humanitarian partners need to plan a decongestion process. The issue of weak camp management and planning also needs to be addressed. A verification process in the rural camps, by WFP, Samaritans Purse and Lira District began on 22 September.

Some of the urban IDP camps that did not have a clear status such as Corner Boroboro and Adidikgweno have dispersed to other camps or communities, like Ireda, while other camps with unclear status were given a confirmed status to exist but with minimal humanitarian assistance, for example, Boke primary school camp and Abonyo Otingre.

III. ACCESS ISSUES

Gulu - Due to the continued stability, access to the IDP camps by humanitarian agencies continued to improve during the month. However, humanitarian actors have been more cautious in moving to the more insecure Opit-Lalogi-Awere belt to the east of Gulu town; and the Amuru, Alero, and Anaka areas, southwest of Gulu town as several road ambushes were reported there during the month. IDPs were also able to improve their access to their farmland during the month, although the risks remained high in the more insecure areas.

Kitgum - Frequent fragmented groups of rebel movements around north of Kitgum (Padibe, Palabek Kal and Gem and Lokung) greatly hampered movement of humanitarian agencies to the area. In Pader, in addition to the LRA insecurity, the terrible road conditions hinder access. The road between Adilang and Paimol is an example.

The roads in Lira have also deteriorated due to the current rains and this hinders access. Abako-Amugo,Apala-Agweng-Aromo and Aloi-Omoro roads are examples. Access in Otuke county and Aromo sub-county is problematic due to insecurity from LRA infiltration and Karimojong raids.

IV. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND ASSISTANCE

General Food Security Situation

Gulu - The month registered good rainfall in Gulu and the main agricultural activities have been weeding of crops (sweet potatoes, cassava, rice), and harvesting (beans, maize and vegetables-cabbage, tomatoes, okra, boo, egg plants). However, agricultural activities are still concentrated around municipal areas and nearby camps.

Kitgum - Food security agencies in Kitgum have expressed optimism about improvement in yield from seeds distributed during the second farming season, owing to the good rainfall in the district. The acreage accessed by farmers has also increased owing to relative improvement in security in some areas. CARITAS reports that some farmers have been able to cultivate four acres of land this season compared to one or two acres in the past. Harvest of crops such as millet, sorghum, sunflower and groundnuts have begun in some areas like Kalongo in Pader. There are however, reports that some farmers have resorted to eating seeds meant for planting, especially in Pader, because of food insecurity in some parts of the district.

Karamoja Region - An inter-agency assessment of Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripirit Districts in the Karamoja Region was carried out 22-29 August, to assess the impact of poorly distributed rainfall since the beginning of the 2004 season and ascertain current and projected food security conditions. The mission also reviewed proposed interventions by local district governments, NGOs and community based organizations. Overall, the mission found mixed crop conditions and noted that the level of crop production in Karamoja's only season is contingent on the performance of September rains. In the worse-off eastern zone, households may harvest only 10 to 20 percent of normal levels. In four most affected sub-counties, WFP will provide a one-off relief distribution in October. In areas with below normal crop production, is currently estimated to be at 30-50 percent of normal levels but will improve if adequate rains are received in September, thereby enabling households to replenish stocks to last at least through March 2005. Normal incidence of crop and livestock pests and diseases were observed. (The final report is available in WFP or in OCHA)

Food Aid

Teso Region - September saw WFP in the process of finalizing the distribution of the second phase of 50% resettlement food rations to Katakwi and Kaberamaido districts. Food distribution was done in Kaberemaido from 22 September 2004 and a total of 47,000 IDPs in Anyara, Otuboi and Kalaki have so far been served with: sorghum 531MT, pulses 81.6MT, soya floor (CSB) 89.8MT and vegetable oil 28.3MT. WFP now plans to have workshop on food for work. This will guide the community-based structures on how to design plans in line with WFP strategy for resettlement. Already a programme on food for assets has commenced with replacement of culverts on access routes. Meanwhile, LWF distributed food (Cassava and Sorghum flour) to 3,880 households in 21 camps in Katakwi. Additionally, WFP has signed a memorandum of understanding with TASO on provision of food for their most vulnerable clients with HIV/AIDs and 650 households are targeted in the initial month.

During the month, WFP introduced sorghum (replacing maize) and CSB in the IDP camps. This is in addition to vegetable oil and pulses, which are still in the food basket. Four days of distribution were lost during the month due to lack of cereals. In Lira WFP continues to distribute monthly food ration to all registered IDPs.

Agricultural Aid

Gulu - FAO distributed 5,000 agricultural kits (comprising assorted seeds and hoes) to Pabbo, through Hunger Alert, with special attention given to IDPs willing to locate to Jengari and Otong camps in order to access more land. FAO also intervened in Pabbo for the HIV/AIDS affected households with 140 agricultural input kits (comprising assorted seeds, hoes and pangas), distributed through the World Vision livelihood security programme. CRS provided support through the provision of agricultural inputs such as seeds for groundnuts and vegetables and the training component of extension for the same camp.

WFP has provided vegetable seeds - pigeon peas and amarenthus (dodo and Buga) to all households not reached by FAO in the three Acholi districts. Both vegetables can be planted around the homestead to compliment basic WFP rations.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUTRITION

CARE continue their discussions with the Gulu District Department of Health Services (DDHS) to seek a way forward on the renewal of their health programme, which has been undermined by accountability concerns at the DDHS. At the same time the ACAO is seeking ways to get the Church of Uganda involved in assisting health services at the health centres CARE constructed.

In Kitgum, health care in IDP camps remains in shambles, and efforts to address health needs particularly in camps far from the town centre are still grossly inadequate. The current mortality analysis indicates that majority of deaths among children are due to malaria and respiratory tract infection. Limited support to health education on malaria prevention, immunization, and household sanitation, coupled with lack of access, limited and untrained manpower exacerbate the problem. On average, mobile clinics reach most camps once a month and drug supply is irregular. Health care is almost non-existent in sub-counties such as Orom, Amida and Lagoro. A project by IRC to routinely supply drugs to nine camps in the district is likely to be discontinued this month due to lack of funds. Meanwhile, ICRC has begun transporting referral cases from five camps to Kitgum Hospital in addition to providing ad hoc assistance to hospitals and some health centres in Kitgum. UNICEF continues with its support to Community Resource Persons (CORPs). The district has recruited six health staff and plans are underway to recruit additional 50-100 health personnel to help address the problem of acute shortage of trained manpower.

Meanwhile, medical authorities in Kitgum have confirmed an outbreak of Chicken Pox among children mainly in parts of Chua County. A district team was dispatched to the area to assess the situation and preliminary reports suggest widespread infection amongst children in most camps in Chua County.

In September, TASO opened an office in Soroti but is working with Teso Social support. They will hold clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. TASO will also provide Counsellor Training, ART management skills, ARVs and food for nutrition (from WFP) to their clients and capacity building programmes. Plans are underway to launch radio programmes on HIV/ AIDS. Also during the month, LWF and Creative Research Center, Kampala, conducted HIV/AIDS needs assessment in Kapujan, Ngariam, Abarilela, Usuk and Katakwi sub-counties. The findings indicate that most of the CBOs and NGOs operating in these areas are only carrying out awareness programmes, but there are hardly any doing home-based care and voluntary counselling and testing. LWF is now using these findings to develop a three-year proposal to be funded by DANN CHURCH AID. With increasing activities in this sector, there is need for increased coordination between District HIV/AIDS Committee with agencies working on emergency response and also a need to ensure that HIV interventions focus on social economic aspects.

The numbers of Therapeutic and Supplementary feeding centres in Lira operated by NGOs with WFP support, remained stable in September in comparison to the previous month. There were about 260 children in the TFC and 1200 children in the SFC. The DDHS confirmed that displaced health workers that were previously working through mobile clinics in the urban camps have now been re-positioned back in their normal health clinics. This strategy has been made possible by the improving security in the sub-counties in question. The Health centres of Kioga, Dokolo, Erute South, Erute North, and Moroto are functioning again. Mobile clinics will operate in Onywako, Omoro, Oteno and Bata. The Health Centres of Barjobi, Okwang, Okwango, Atangwata and Adwir remain closed. Some mobile clinics did not operate in September. Also in September some 510 Community Resource Persons were trained in the camps of Aromo, Ogur, Apala, Aloi, Lira Sub county, all LMC divisions, Adekokwok, Barr, Agwata, Bata and Dokolo, to treat children under 5 with malaria using a Homapack. The DDHS aims to serve all camps without Health Centres through outreach programmes from the nearest Health Centre, including immunizations.

WATER AND SANITATION

Efforts to address the inadequate water and sanitation facilities are ongoing in Kitgum. In camps such as Orom and Logoro, over 4,000 persons access one latrine squat hole and over 5000 persons share a water point. In a bid to reach some hygienically acceptable standard, WVI began training in September, for community volunteers and supplying materials to ten IDP camps in Kitgum for IDPs to begin production of sanitation platforms (sanplats) for constructing latrines on a self-help basis. IDPs in Orom and other camps have begun the digging of latrines pits. CARITAS has also begun a baseline survey of five camps in Kitgum ahead of a planned WATSAN intervention, which will include the construction of latrines, rehabilitation of boreholes and hygiene promotion. ICRC has completed a geophysical survey of five camps and the prison compound in Kitgum in preparation for the digging of boreholes and construction of latrines.

Teso region continues to grapple with the huge gaps in the provision of water and sanitation interventions. Water bills for IDPs camps in Soroti Municipality have reached Ug. Shs 60 million. Amidst threats by water authorities to disconnect the water, the DDMC has written to OPM and the Water Directorate and awaits their response. In Katakwi, following the District's approval of a motorized water system for the four camps of Acowa, Obalanga, Morugatuny and Orungo and re-allocation of Ug. Shs. 82 million to cater for operation and management costs, UNICEF is providing funding through Concern World Wide to drill the motorized water system. Drilling is going on in Acowa and Obalanga. The district will play a coordination and support supervision role

EDUCATION

Because of the improved security situation in the last two months, many children in camps near Gulu municipality are no longer night commuting. Many schools from these areas were also displaced into town and these children are now at home as they find it difficult to come daily to town to attend classes. The challenge now is to have these schools returned to the camps if the positive security trend continues. Lapainat camp, 10kms south of Gulu town is a case in point. The DEO with the Local Council members from the area have been requested to handle this matter urgently, and have the schools returned to the camps.

Students in Kitgum and Pader continue to learn in crowded learning centres, which lack water and have appalling sanitary conditions. At an education sector meeting during the month, Potika Learning Center with three displaced schools in addition to the parent school was singled out as particularly awful, with over 2,000 students accessing six stances of latrines. In Orom, school administrators are struggling to run a secondary school for about 200 students in a narrow classroom at a primary-level learning centre that has grossly inadequate water and sanitation facilities. There is an urgent need to decongest classrooms and improve the sanitation.

In Teso region the various organisations working in the education sector continue with various programmes of construction and/or rehabilitation of classrooms, teachers' quarters and provision of scholastic materials.

Lira district has documented displacement of schools in the various counties as follows

Dokolo - 11 of the 53 schools are displaced into 3 learning centres in the sub counties

Moroto - all 76 schools are displaced into 10 learning centres in the sub counties

Otuke - all 45 schools are displaced into 6 learning centres in the sub counties.

Erute North and South - 47 of the 94 schools are displaced into 4 learning centres in the sub counties.

However, the majority of the pupils from all the 4 counties are displaced outside the sub counties into Lira municipality schools. The District Health Inspector is to be involved in inspection and enforcing sanitation and hygiene in learning centres. There is also a need to harmonise psychosocial training manual for teachers in order to competently support traumatized children.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROTECTION

In September, the Gulu LC5 Chairman wrote a letter to the Chairman of the DDMC instructing humanitarian agencies to immediately commence provision of humanitarian assistance to all IDP camps, recognized or unrecognised. The RDC also wrote a letter to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) saying that there were now no unrecognised camps in the district. All camps were deserving of assistance, particularly in terms of food aid. Also during the month, the Deputy RDC in an emergency DDMC meeting reported that there is a permanent UPDF presence in all categories of IDP camps, and that his office is committed to the protection of the IDPs and their property. On the basis of these communications, agencies have agreed to commence humanitarian assistance to all camps.

Protection issues of vulnerable groups in the affected districts remain an enormous challenge. In Kitgum. Incidences of rape, sex trade, child delinquency and reported harassment by armed groups are becoming commonplace among IDPs and night commuters. Exacerbating the situation among night dwellers is the lack of lighting, inadequate water and sanitation and general poor conditions of the shelters/sites. The protection working group (PWG) in the district is trying to plan appropriate strategies to deal with the protection of night dwellers, particularly children. Efforts to ensure increased district commitment in responding to protection concerns are also being pursued by the PWG.

An inter-agency consultative exercise was undertaken with night commuters sleeping on verandas to gauge their perspectives on the construction of additional night dweller shelters. Data collected from the exercise is being analysed by OXFAM and preliminary reports indicate, among others that the veranda night dwellers are willing to move into shelters if the shelters are improved. There are also alarming revelations of abuses among veranda dwellers including daily rapes of adolescent female night commuters, alleged harassment of children by soldiers, molestation by drunk disco goers, and appalling sanitary conditions. The PWG will convene a meeting to address the protection issues raised in the final report.

Meanwhile ICRC has begun series of dissemination exercises with the UPDF on the introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and presentation of its mandate.

In Soroti district it is increasingly evident that there is limited guidance and coordination by the district and child protection agencies on child care policy framework. For example, an NGO under Baptist Church is constructing a childcare centre for orphans and destitute children in Soroti. The Child Care and Protection sector working group observed that this may not be in the best interest of the children in question. Clearly, there is a need for Government to come up with a position on Child protection and care taking into consideration the existing guidelines on childcare and protection. Furthermore, there is need to strengthen child reunification and support to the affected families.

In Lira unaccompanied children in the camps is an increasing protection issue. It is estimated that there are approximately 600 unaccompanied children aged between 5-15yrs living in IDP camps in Lira municipality. They lack access to schools and other services such as health and social services and registration for NFIs and food distribution, counselling and guidance as well as other child development activities.

'Forced labour'

The practice of forcing civilians to slash road sides ("Forced labour") continues, despite orders from the head of the UPDF that commanders of army detaches should stop this. People slashing/clearing roadsides are a common sight along the Gulu-Karuma road. One worrying question is that if this practice occurs on a major road, what is the scale of the problem in less conspicuous roads? OCHA raised the issue in a letter to Lt Col Achoka requesting him to ensure that the army and the LDUs stop this inhumane practice. The Gulu LC5 Chairman had promised in August to convene a meeting of all LC3 Chairpersons to discuss the issue of forced labour along the roads, but the meeting had not been called by 4 October 2004.

Repatriation and resettlement of ex-LRA

The status of the former LRA combatants still remains a big policy concern for both the NGOs and the Government. Brigadier Banya, one of the former LRA commanders, has contacted a few agencies for ideas on assisting the returnees. NUSAF is also reportedly planning some projects for them. A systematic way should be proposed to handle this issue, as it is likely to prove a future security threat, if not properly handled.

A total of 34 ex-LRA returnees (15 children and 19 adults) were repatriated by IOM on 4 October 2004, from Juba- Sudan. They were escorted by officials from IOM, UNICEF and an official from the Uganda Embassy in Sudan. There were 7 infants, the youngest being a month old. Nine of the 34 returnees were disabled - some with artificial legs, while others walked with the aid of clutches. Officials from the District (RDC, UPDF, Lt Col Achoka), Religious Leaders (Bishop Odama) and District Khadi), Lira District officials, NGOs, UN agencies, and the community welcomed the returnees. The returnees were taken to the UPDF Child Protection Unit (CPU), for screening, before being shifted to GUSCO and World Vision centres.

PEACE AND RESETTLEMENT

The RDC in Kitgum has called on humanitarian agencies to help the district to cater for a number of mothers who have returned with children from LRA captivity, most of whom are former wives of rebel leaders. The women said they were unable to cultivate for fear that they could be recaptured by their former LRA husbands.

Mine Threat

AVSI carried out a two-day training of trainers (TOT) workshop in September on Mine Risk Education for 20 community leaders and social workers from six camps in Kitgum. Those trained are to be organized into focal groups to facilitate dissemination of information on basic mine activities. Three persons from each camp, including a teacher, a health worker and a camp leader benefited from the training. The training comes after an explosion of a new anti-personnel mine in early September, which left two UPDF soldiers injured, one critically. The explosion took place in Pelah village, between Omiya Anyima and Kitgum Matidi. Also recently, UPDF carried out the de-mining of two anti-personnel mines, which were discovered in Pajimo IDP camp on 22 September, one near a functional borehole and another close to the health centre.

V. POLICY CONCERNS

One challenge humanitarian actors are likely to face is assessing the additional numbers of IDPs in the formerly non-gazetted camps for humanitarian assistance. WFP reports that at least 50% of the displaced people in the formerly non-gazetted camps have been receiving food aid in neighbouring recognised camps.

A meeting was held late in the month to assess the night commuters guidelines. Emphasis has been placed on the need for the district to improve supervision of the commuter centres. The co-ordinators of the centres were encouraged to consistently use the guidelines and minimum standards for the night commuters, prepared by humanitarian agencies in Gulu. Sanitation in the centres is a major problem and may be the main reason forcing children to return the streets in Gulu. The Community Services Department with Save the Children will investigate this and report to back to the committee.

Night commuters

A number of policy issues have been raised over the night commuters both within Gulu municipality and rural camps, including a need for improved monitoring/supervision of the centres by the District Community Services Department. Reports emerged during the month of night commuter centres within Gulu Municipality that have been in existence, without support or recognition from the District Community Service Department. Many of them are around Catholic mission centres in Gulu town. There is a need to investigate the pull factors in these centres. An assessment is planned for early October 2004 to ascertain conditions in these centres. There were also reports in September, of a rural night commuter phenomenon, whose magnitude is yet to be assessed. Lalogi and Awach camps - located in some of the most insecure parts of the district - reported an increasing trend of night commuters. The people in these camps have no expertise and facilities in managing the children, especially in terms of accommodation and sanitation.

VI. MISSIONS AND VISITS

The major missions to the conflict-affected districts included the following:

- 16 donor representatives including a number of Ambassadors, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and WFP country representative, spent two days in Gulu (9-10 September), meeting with local political, religious and cultural leaders as well as making visits to GUSCO and Noah's Ark. OCHA organised a brief visit to Bobi camp. This provided an opportunity for the donors to meet with camp residents to discuss their hopes and fears.

- The Head of the OCHA Internal Displacement Division (IDD), Dennis McNamara, visited Gulu, 1 September to examine protection concerns. He held meetings with the Minister for northern Uganda Rehabilitation, the UPDF, NGOs and the religious leaders. He visited two camps - Te-Tugu and Bobi to give a contrast between the quality of IDP camps in Gulu. He also visited Lira on 2 September and visited Barr and Erute IDP camps and held meetings with the district authorities,

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.