Humanitarian Update Uganda Feb 2005 Volume VII, Issue II

I. SECURITY

Security Overview

February started on a hopeful note when on February 4, the President declared another extension to the ceasefire. Despite the 18-day limited ceasefire, there was an increase in frequency and brutality of LRA attacks, particularly in the districts of Kitgum, Gulu and Pader. The rebel groups also increased in size and in Gulu and Kitgum, there were reports of the LRA groups ranging from 10-50 as opposed to 4-8 rebels previously. Lira district and Teso region (Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido) reported no LRA related incidents in February. Katakwi continued to suffer Karimojong attacks. Two prominent LRA commanders, Onen Kamdulu and Brigadier Sam Kolo defected from Atiak, Gulu district. Sam Kolo was the chief spokesman for the LRA in the current peace consultation process. His renunciation of the LRA, though appreciated, was seen by many as a set back for the peace negotiation process. However the process continues, alongside a military pursuit by the army.

DISTRICT SECURITY UPDATE

Gulu - The beginning of February saw a significant increase in security incidents in the district, with a high number of abductions and killings. Many abductees were still unaccounted for/not released by the end of the month. The last week of the month had even more security incidents than the first week, though there were no attacks on IDP camps. Towards the end of the month, the LRA attempted to abduct the mothers of LRA returnees Onen Kamdulu in Alokolum, and Sam Kolo in Amuru. The whole district reported heavy rebel movements, brutal killings, and abductions, with a concentration of rebel activities around Amuru, Alero, Opit, Lalogi, Acet, Awere, Koch Ongako/Goma, Awach, Palaro, Atiak, Pabbo, and Bibya. There were reports of promotion among the LRA ranks, with Odyambo becoming the new senior LRA Commander.

An MSF-Swiss vehicle was ambushed and the occupants (MSF staff) intimidated and robbed by unidentified gunmen, (suspected to be LRA) between Omee and Amuru camps, some 55kms west of Gulu. Drugs, mobile phones and radio handsets were looted.

Kitgum - The security situation in Kitgum remained as unpredictable as ever with an increasing number of incidents reported. The relative stability of the past months seems to have halted with LRA's renewed vicious attacks on and abduction of civilians, like the abduction of two civilians at Akilok during an ambush and one herdsman in Padibe; late in the month at Ngomoromo in Lukung sub-county, eight women had gone to fetch water and were rounded up by five rebels and had their lips cut-off. LRA also attempted to attack the suburbs of Kitgum town, i.e. the areas of Amida, Lulonjo and Kitgum High School but were successfully repulsed by the UPDF.

In Pader, the security situation remained relatively calm for a greater part of the month until 24 February, when the LRA rebels ambushed a UPDF truck that had delivered supplies to the army detachment at Latanya hills. Seven died on the spot and over 20 were injured. The injured persons (both UPDF soldiers and civilians) were evacuated to Kitgum and Lira hospitals. Overall, the situation remains unpredictable due to the continued presence of the LRA rebels in the district.

The Teso sub-region (Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido), continues to enjoy relative calm. Katakwi still suffers from occasional Karimojong raids. The Karamojong attacked residents of Magoro sub-county; a car with Italian NGO workers was ambushed early in the month, 5Km from the border with Moroto district. Nobody was hurt, but their property, including money was stolen by the armed men, who were in military fatigue. In addition, incidents of indiscipline and robberies, reportedly involving the Arrow Militia, who have salary arrears, have been on the increase.

Lira: There were no reports of insecurity incidents as a result of LRA rebel activities and neither was there any major threat or presence of the LRA in the district. However, the rebels were cited in Aromo sub-county, which is a usual rebel crossing point from the neighbouring districts of Apac and Pader into Lira. Sub-counties bordering Kotido district continued to experience attempted cattle raids from the Karimojong. There was an unsuccessful attempt on 3 February in Aromo sub- county, while on 5 February, a cattle rustler was killed in Olilim sub-county. On 16 February, the raiders tried to enter Olilim camp but were repulsed by the UPDF.

Apac: The areas in Apac district which border Gulu still experience considerable threats and rebel presence, especially in Otwal and Ngai sub-counties. On 22 February, it was reported that rebels killed 10 people in the two sub-counties. The rebels entered the district through Odek in Gulu.

II. IDP, MOVEMENT AND CAMP ISSUES

Gulu: The number of night commuters increased slightly in February to about 13,000, from 10,000 in January 2005, according to the District Community Service Department. The increase was mainly registered at Lacor, most probably following the numerous rebel presence and attacks in the Alokolum and Keyo areas.

Kitgum: In February, a headcount of night commuters showed a reduction to 12,515 from 15,491 in January 2005. The reduction may be attributed to the confidence in UPDF deployment and relatively less attacks around Kitgum town over the last one month.

In the last District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) meeting, it was recommended that Padide and Ogili are de-congested. A committee was instituted to draw up a plan on how people will move. Reports from Palabek kal indicate that some IDPs have already begun moving to Ogili sub-county headquarters and that some structures are being set-up. The exact figure of those who have moved is yet to be ascertained.

In Teso sub-region movement of IDPs back or close to their area of origin has scaled down, though it is expected that the commencement of the rainy season will trigger some return of IDPs for cultivation of their land. OCHA is supporting Soroti district to assess the number of IDPs still in Soroti camps. It has been realised that majority of IDPs in Soroti camps come from Katakwi LRA and/or Karimojong disturbed sub-counties. Majority of IDPs from Soroti LRA affected sub-counties of Tubur, Arapai and Katine have returned to their areas of origin. While in Kaberamaido District, there are still some IDPs in Otuboi and Anyara camps. The figures are being assessed.

Lira: The number of established camps in the district has been stable because of relative stability and security in many parts of the district. Rural camps such as Aloi and Aler have expanded as a result of the continuous movement of IDPs. Dokolo, Abenyo and to a smaller extent Bata camps in Dokolo sub-county registered significant IDP movement. Although the camps have not been officially closed, the IDPs have left Dokolo and Abenyo camps and returned to the parishes of origin. The two camps had a total population of about 20,000 IDPs. WFP is planning to phase out the IDPs from monthly general food ration and distribute a resettlement package of three months food ration for Dokolo and Abenyo in March. The congestion in the rural camps is worsening as IDPs move out of urban areas without any control mechanism for proper space planning and allocation for new households. The district cites lack of resources for this vital exercise. One of the consequences of the congestion in camps was that seven fires broke out in Aromo, Agweng, Aler, Ogur, Aloi and Bar camps over the last two months.

On the other hand, some of the IDPs in neighbouring Bata camp returned to the camp after the rebel attack in Barr in January in which two people were killed.

III. ACCESS ISSUES

Gulu - Most parts of the district remained accessible throughout the month. Humanitarian agencies were however cautious in moving to the Awach-Palaro areas, northeast of Gulu, where the rebel presence was reported several times. The Amuru-Omee areas to the west, were also reported unsafe, especially after the attack on the MSF/Swiss vehicle. With the surrender of LRA peace spokesman Brigadier Sam Kolo, agencies are very cautious about their movement to the field, since LRA activities unpredictable and they may revenge Kolo's surrender. Where security has been better in the District, IDPs have been able to freely access their farmland.

Despite promises by the acting RDC, the UN awaits a formal approval by Gulu district security officials to its request to access eight camps near to Gulu Municipality without UPDF escort

Kitgum - Despite the slight improvement in security, humanitarian actors have continued to use military escorts in accessing the camps. Many actors are concerned about the small number of soldiers on the escort detail. In most cases, the numbers of soldiers have varied from ten to twenty per convoy which is viewed as insufficient, in light of the ambushes that have occurred on both the military and civilians during February. The UPDF argue that the numbers of soldiers that accompany humanitarian actors is done according to their own security assessment of the areas humanitarian actors intend to visit. OCHA linked up with the office of District Internal Security Officer (DISO) to ensure proper coordination.

IDPs' access to land for farming is still limited and the production sector working group wrote to the RDC requesting the district security team to increase "safe farming radius" for IDPs before the next rainy season (March to May). If the above is done, it will allow each IDP household in the district to have access to at least two acres of farming land. The RDC's response is awaited.

Pader - Humanitarian agencies continue to use military escorts to access camps and deliver humanitarian assistance apart from agencies like the Red Cross and MSF who are constrained by their mandate. The main Kitgum-Lira, and Kitgum-Gulu roads were more secure with no road ambushes reported during February.

Lira - Access to beneficiaries in Lira has improved, increasing the delivery of services to rural areas. This has also encouraged the movement of IDPs back to rural areas, where they are certain of continuation of services in the camps. During the month, various humanitarian actors working in the district were able to spend more time in the rural camps with their programmes. For example, ACF-USA successfully implemented food security activities such as land verification, and establishment of nursery beds in all the six camps in Otuke County, which is still considered insecure.

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