Peace Process

Security Update

March 1-April 18, 2008

LRA movements from Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Central African Republic, sometimes through southern Sudan resulted in numerous reports of abductions and lootings.  UNICEF reports that the LRA abducted over 200 people in DRC in February and March.  The U.S Ambassador to CAR traveled to Obo to meet with villagers and individuals abducted by the LRA.  They said that the LRA abducted 157 people.  Southern Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar announced on April 17 that some 55 individuals had been abducted from Western Equatoria.

February 1-29, 2008
Large numbers of LRA moved into Central African Republic on/about February 15, according to humanitarian organizations.  LRA leader Joseph Kony reportedly remained in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  There have been sightings and attacks carried out by various groups, including the LRA, in southern Sudan.  Some small groups involved in attack may contain LRA mixed with other armed elements.  Armed militias and bandits also have been seen in Eastern and Western Equatoria.

The re-establishment of civilian authority in northern Uganda continues to be a challenge for the judicial system.  There are 670 people in Gulu Prison, which has a capacity of 200.  Patongo Prison holds 200 prisoners despite its capacity of 74.  There were increasing numbers of referrals of offenders from other districts, only one resident High Court Judge, and increasing crime rates.  In Lango, judicial officials report a case backlog, due to an increase in the number of defilement cases being handled due to changes in the Sexual Offences Bill amendments.  Previously, defilement was a capital offence and cases were only heard at the High Court.

Across the Acholi sub-region deployment of Special Police Constables (SPCs) continued.  As of January, approximately 1680 SPCS were deployed and 2320 others were undergoing training.  However, most SPCs remain at the sub-county level and have not yet deployed to the lower, parish level.  In Kitgum, lack of housing continued to hamper police deployments.  Two hundred units per sub-county are planned.  Additionally, training of SPCs remains a concern.  SPCs receive one month training compared to nine months for regular police prior to deployment.  The International Committee of the Red Cross and the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights are trying to fill this gap with supplemental training on child rights and gender-based violence, and an introduction to human rights.

January 1-31, 2008

No Security Update.

December 1 -31, 2007

On December 16, suspected LRA rebels raided a Catholic mission in Duru, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near the border with Sudan.  Duru is approximately 90 kilometers from Dungu.  The suspected LRA looted the Comboni mission and hospital, briefly holding an Italian priest hostage.

The Government of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo held the Fifth Session of the Uganda-DRC Joint Permanent Commission on December 12 in Kampala.  The last meeting was held 10 years ago.  Issues discussed included the presence of the LRA in Garamba National Park.  Three working groups on defense and security, social economic cooperation, and political and diplomatic relations worked on resolving outstanding issues.  Both parties agreed to normalize diplomatic relations by March 2008.

November 3- 30, 2007

On November 13, Onen Kamdulu, a former LRA director of 0perations, was arrested for aggravated robbery in Gulu.  Kamadulu was detained with former LRA members Maj. Thomas Opiyo, UPDF Lieutenant Odongkara Ajiba, and four other individuals.  They were charged with robbing Sunday Opayat in Anganga village, Akokoro sub-county.  Kamadulu was one of the key state witnesses against FDC leader Kizza Besigye.
The Bon Ayom area of Pader District remains tense after a series of robberies, freshly planted land mines, and the killing of two members of local defense units (LDU) occurred in a one-month period.  UPDF are patrolling the area.  There have been no reported incidents since October 30.  U.N. security will undertake an assessment to determine when travel restrictions can be lifted.
October 20- November 2, 2007

On November 1, two Ugandan staff of the international non-governmental organization Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) were killed when armed assailants in Amuru District attacked their vehicle.  Two other staff members in the vehicle survived the attack, although one was wounded and is being treated at a hospital in Gulu.  ACTED has accounted for all staff involved in the incident.  UNDSS and local authorities are conducting an investigation.  The team was implementing a cash-for-work roads program.

Former Director of Operations for the LRA Alfred Onen Kamudulu was arrested on October 28 with ten other individuals at a hideout at Maruzi farm in Apac District.  Kamudulu and his accomplices were accused of robbing several individuals to purchase food.  They were also carrying arms.  The group appeared in court on October 29 for questioning.

The Government of Southern Sudan accused Khartoum of attempting to derail the LRA peace talks.  During a meeting with Ugandan ministers, Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) minister, Lt. Gen. Dominic Dim Deng, stated that Khartoum did not want peace in Southern Sudan and was supporting the impersonation of SPLA soldiers.  Deng's remarks came at a meeting with Ugandan diplomatic and security officials on October 29. Ugandan officials expressed concern after several fatal attacks and incidents of harassment of Ugandan traders in Juba, allegedly at the hands of police and SPLA soldiers.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continued to provide support to the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force (UPF) in implementing internationally recognized Humanitarian Principles into their training and standard operating procedures.

ICRC facilitated the training of military personnel which promoted the integration of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) standards within military doctrine, training, and operations.  The activities that they took part in included:

- One hundred seventy-eight officers at an Officers' Basic Course (OBC) attended one-day dissemination on ICRC mandate and activities in Kabamba in July.

-One senior UPDF officer attended the Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military operations in Geneva in August.

- Thirty senior officers from the Second Division covering western Uganda attended a 3-day basic IHL course in Kasese district in August.
- Forty-six political, legal and intelligence officers from the 5th Division headquarters in Acholiland attending a two day introduction to IHL in August.

- Thirty instructors and legal officers attended the fifth Training of Trainers' course according to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Jinja in September.

- The ICRC and the UPDF IHL Desk jointly carried out a review of IHL implementation and teaching in seven military training schools: Kabamba, Singo, Butiaba, Kaweweta, Bihanga, Junior Staff College (JSC) and Jinja Military Academy (JMA).  A donation of IHL military teaching files and audiovisual materials was made to the seven training schools.  Two schools (JSC and JMA) received IHL books.
- An ICRC trained instructor of the Training Planning Unit Kampala conducted sessions on Humanitarian Principles for 300 Anti-Stock Theft Unit personnel in Pader district.
- Three hundred UPDF soldiers and auxiliary forces (LDUs) in seven camps (Pawel, Palaro, Pabbo, Bibia, Binya, Tegot and Lolim) attended information sessions on ICRC mandate, activities, the Red Cross Emblem and introduction to IHL.
- Two hundred twenty-six Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) soldiers and Local Defense Unit (LDU) guards in Karenga (158) and Labworoyeng detachment (68) attended an information session on the history of the Red Cross Movement, the ICRC activities and basic rules of behavior in combat.
- Sixty-nine Local Defense Unit (LDU) guards attended information sessions on the ICRC mandate, activities, the Red Cross Emblem, and introduction to IHL.  Fifteen LDU's attended the session in Omiya Pacwa, 30 in Paimol, nine in Barayom, eight in Koyo Lalogi and seven in Pacer.

September 8 - September 21, 2007

On September 21, the Ugandan Peoples' Defense Forces announced that it had court martialed 120 soldiers for capital offenses such as murder, rape, defilement, and armed robbery in northern Uganda since September 2006, according to spokesman Lt. Chris Magezi.  The UPDF's disciplinary committee tried cases of minor offenses.  The cases of 21 soldiers were still at trial at the Fourth Division Court Martial.  Magezi said "the UPDF image is sacred and therefore the army will continue to guard it.  It will not hesitate to punish any soldier who engages in criminal activities that breach the army's standard operating procedures."

USG Activities: On September 21, USAID, DOJ/ICITAP, and Embassy personnel participated in a lessons-learned review of the pilot community justice activity in Lira District that ends on September 30.  These lessons will feed into any future activities in security sector reform; justice, law and order; and community policing.  The goals of the four-month pilot project were to provide training for police trainers and improve the coordination between police, prosecutors, and magistrates in support of re-establishment of a civilian-controlled judicial system in Lira District.  Four police advisors and a prosecutor worked with the Ugandan Police Force and judges to design a one week community policing program aimed at training newly-recruited Special Police Constables.  The specific skills taught included crime scene investigation, interrogation, report writing, and first aid.  The Lira Police Station was given a face-lift intended to project a more professional image for the police and four motorbikes were donated to the police and one to the prosecutor's office.  Twenty-two trainers and 72 Special Police Constables (SPCs) were trained in four different iterations of the course.  The instructors will deploy on motorbikes and conduct training for SPCs at the sub-county level.

As part of the DOJ/ICITAP program, the U.N. Office for the High Commission for Human Rights conducted human rights training for the constables and was involved in all stages of the program development.  The police force also was given techniques for using daily roll call to disseminate information and training to officers.  A unique part of the pilot was the involvement of church leaders and faith-based organizations to assist the police with juvenile justice issues.  Local churches were enlisted to assist in the protection of children who commit crimes.  Due to a lack of remand facilities for children in the north, the juvenile is released to his family but his punishment, such as community service, is overseen by local church officials.

The Joint Monitoring Commission was set to hold its last meeting on October 3.  President Museveni reportedly will attend and formally launch the PRDP.

August 25 -September 7, 2007

(No Update)

August 12 - August 24, 2007

August 15 to 17 Senior Advisor on Conflict Resolution, Timothy Shortley, traveled to northern Uganda to meet with local leaders and affected populations.  The primary objectives of the trip were to discuss the peace process in Juba, including community consultations on agenda item three; how the US can help ensure a successful conclusion to the peace process, and a dignified return of the displaced population (IDPs); and support reconciliation and recovery.  The Senior Advisor met with IDPs and returnees in Omiyanima sub-county, Kitgum District, district officials in Gulu and Kitgum, NGOs, UN agencies, members of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative, and  the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO).  The visit was well received.  There is positive momentum around the peace process and IDP returns; however, gaps remain in recovery assistance that if unaddressed could hamper slow the process of recovery.

No security threats in LRA areas.  Little activity along the eastern boarder with Karamoja, raids are usually low during the rainy season.

Deputy Chief of Police Otim and State Prosecutor Martin agreed to implement roll call training for constables with the assistance of a prosecutor providing legal updates.  This new process will improve skills and knowledge and allow constables to perform at a higher level in serving the public.

July 29- August 11, 2007

As part of USAID support for reconstituting the police in northern Uganda, U.S. Department of Justice’s ICITAP conducted a basic investigators course assessment from July 11 to July 26 in Lira for police officers and police personnel. The course covered community policing; crime scene investigation; rights of prisoners, arrestees, women and children; police ethics and first aid to name a few. The course was comprised of theory, practical exercises, and lectures from experts.

July 1-14, 2007

USG Activities:  A community policing and integrated administration of justice pilot project funded by USAID and State/INLis is starting up in Lira district. Trainers from the Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) note that police and other justice, law and order institutions in northern Uganda are facing difficulties due to the lack of essential supplies and equipment in the offices and courts. The absence of computers and communications hinders the ability of the police to re-establish a functioning civilian police system. They also lack transportation for both officers and investigators. There are only two motorcycles and one vehicle provided for the entire Lira district. The conditions of the offices are difficult due to water and termite damage. Poor communication reduces the ability of the police to respond in a timely manner to incidents and is a huge safety issue. On a more positive note, a conference of local residents was held to discuss the community justice project.

June 17-June 30, 2007

UN security officials report an upsurge in urban crime rates over the past two weeks in Gulu and Kitgum towns.  Two NGOs were robbed by armed assailants in Patongo, Pader District in the past two weeks. 

May 18-June 2, 2007

According to U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Juba, the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) was working out proposed assembly routes after the LRA rejected the Ugandan Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF) and Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) proposed routes announced on May 8.  The CHMT announced the routes and reported that various LRA groups have crossed the Nile and were moving to Garamba National Park.

On May 19, a group of 75 alleged LRA attacked villages north of Laihya, Central Equatoria State, Southern Sudan, which is 25 miles west of Juba.  One of the homes looted belonged to the Southern Sudanese Minister of Information, Samson Kwaje, who is also a member of the mediating team.  On May 22, the LRA attacked the village of Fore, 80 miles west of Juba.  Two SPLA soldiers were killed during an LRA attack on May 23 near the same village.  The LRA group, with Commander Thomas Kwoyello, was believed to be responsible for these attacks. 

In LRA-affected northern Uganda, the general security situation remained calm in Lango, Teso and Acholi regions.  In Kaabong, Karamoja, a WFP truck was attacked and one staff person killed, reportedly by Karamojong.  WFP temporarily suspended operations.  Otuke county, Lira District and portions of eastern Pader District continue to be affected by Karamajong attacks. 

May 1-May 17, 2007

The Ugandan Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF) and Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) gave the LRA the approved corridors for assembly of LRA forces from Owiny Kibul area to Rikwangba on May 8.  After Kony and Otti give their approval of the routes, the LRA forces in that area will have seven days to assemble at Rikwangba.  LRA members in other parts of southern Sudan or northern Uganda have until June 30 to assemble.

The LRA reportedly ambushed vehicles on the Gulu-Nimule road at the Uganda-Sudan border on April 30.  Seven people were killed, several reportedly abducted, and property looted.  LRA leaders are playing down the incident.  LRA deputy, Vincent Otti, called Radio Mega FM in Gulu and said that LRA members should not attack civilians.

April 7-April 30, 2007

On April 2, twelve Sudanese were killed and 14 people injured, including five Ugandans, in suspected LRA ambushes on three vehicles in southern Sudan.  There also was a report that LRA rebels associated with Thomas Kwoyello may have raided Mugali village in Sudan, killing two persons and abducting five others.

The Ugandan military reported a clash between the LRA and UPDF in Eastern Equatoria, southern Sudan, on April 19 left one Ugandan soldier dead.

March 10-23, 2007

As a result of the improved security in Kitgum, a number of NGOs have stopped using military escorts. UN agencies in the district access some 17 of 25 IDP camps without military escort.  Many agencies also were able to spend nights in the camps, while a number of them have permanently deployed staff at project areas such as health centers in the camps.  Child night commuting in the district may be coming to an end with efforts by child protection agencies to phase out completely the phenomenon.  Along with improved security, the support by UNICEF and its partners to assess the situation of the night commuter caseload and provide outreach activities in areas of return has contributed to a dramatic reduction in night commuter numbers.
The improved security in northern Uganda also has led to increased access to land for cultivation and food security.  Agencies in the district have begun distribution of agricultural inputs including seeds and tools to over 50,000 households in IDP camps.  The water situation in Kitgum was likely to improve with the movement of people from the camps and recent efforts by humanitarian agencies to provide water points at most areas of return.  Sanitation remains appalling in most camps, however, with average latrine coverage of 78.4 persons per latrine compared with a minimum sphere standard of 20.

The judiciary’s program to eliminate backlogged court cases and decongest prisons in northern Uganda was restarted on March 19.  Principal Justice James Ogoola launched the second round of court sessions, which will take place in five cities.  A backlog of 340 cases could be cleared in Lira at the completion of the sessions.

The Ugandan Police Force expressed disappointment that only 60 of the 500 candidates for recruitment were women during a recent recruitment exercise in northern Uganda.  The UPF's target for female recruitment is 30 percent.

Press reports indicated that the LRA killed one person on March 20 in Southern Sudan.  Some 1,500 persons were allegedly displaced in eastern Equatoria, southern Sudan, according to the Sudan Tribune as reported in Ugandan newspapers.  The rebels looted food from a town nine miles east of Torit.

February 27-March 9, 2007

Kitgum security officials reaffirmed their commitment to protect the public and noted that there was a marked improvement in security in the district since the beginning of the year.  Officials remain concerned about the presence of a small group of LRA in Labone, South Sudan, about 20 kilometers from the border with Uganda.

The judiciary’s program to eliminate backlogged court cases and decongest prisons in northern Uganda will begin another round of court sessions in five cities.  Although it was supposed to begin on March 5, the launch was postponed until Uganda's courts resumed business, which was suspended over the invasion of the High Court premises by government security forces to re-arrest individuals who had been granted bail.

February 10-26, 2007

Most security concerns in recent weeks have focused on Karamoja and the sub-counties of Pader, Lira, Amuria and Katawki districts that border the Karamoja region.  At Monday’s meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee, for example, the Kitgum district Chairperson reported four deaths and ten wounded this month as a result of cattle raids from Kotido.  The Chairs of Lira, Katakwi and Amuria voiced similar concerns, and all recommended greater efforts at inter-communal peace building aimed at “disarming the Karimojong mentally.”

The situation in the LRA-affected areas has remained quiet.  Kitgum’s District Security Officer reported that for the last month there were no reports of LRA movement inside the district or any violent acts committed by the Karamojong.  Nevertheless, major non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are restricting travel between March 1-5, after the latest Cessation of Hostilities Agreement expires. 

In contrast, Gulu Resident District Commissioner Walter Ochora assured IDPs that they do not need to go back to camps and that the UPDF will provide security whether or not a peace agreement is signed.  The Amuru District Chairperson reported the security situation as normal, and that people have started returning to their homesteads.  Humanitarian organizations estimate 400,000 IDPs are on the move to new sites throughout the Acholi Sub-region.  Few have returned all the way home (3,297).  The World Food Program’s revalidation exercise confirmed 700,000 IDPs in Gulu and Amuru districts.

The judiciary’s program to eliminate backlogged court cases and decongest prisons in northern Uganda will begin another round of court sessions in five cities on March 5.  Principal Judge James Ogoola will join seven other judges to hear cases in Gulu, Kitgum, Soroti, Lira, and Kumi for a two-month period.  The judges will handle 534 cases.  The Prime Minister’s Office is using 215 million shillings (USD equivalent) to fund the exercise from the Humanitarian Emergency Action Program for Northern Uganda.

A similar exercise undertaken by the “Gulu Civil Court Sessions” was a joint project between the High Court of Uganda and Restore International, a U.S.-based NGO.  From October-November 2006, six judges heard 104 of 140 cases in Gulu to start clearing out the backlogged cases.  Until recently the courts were unable to sit due to insecurity in the north, resulting in a build-up of hundreds of cases.  Restore International supported U.S. law students to prepare the case briefs for the judges.  World Bank funding will be used for reconstruction and furnishing of courts in the north.

January 27-February 9, 2007

The numbers of night commuters are down to 2,700 in December 2006, according to UNICEF.  These numbers are down from 23,885 in December 2005.  UNICEF cites the improved security situation for the dramatic decrease.
Alice Lakwena, the founder of the Holy Spirit Movement and cousin to LRA leader Joseph Kony, who died on January 18 in a refugee camp in Kenya, was buried in her ancestral home in Gulu district on February 10.  The Government of Uganda arranged the return of Lakwena's body from Kenya and paid for the burial costs.

Re-establishing rule of law and a functioning judicial system is moving slowly and illustrates other coordination and planning problems that are arising.  Local district officials are concerned that newly arrived police officers have no food and are dependent on either the military or WFP for rations.  UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that the paralegals with the Legal Aid Project assisting the courts in Gulu have stopped work because they have not been paid by the Uganda Law Society.  The paralegals have been assisting judges recently deployed to Gulu to remove the backlog of court cases. 

January 13-26, 2007

On January 19, a lorry in southern Sudan, at the junction between Amer and Magwi was ambushed, allegedly by the LRA, according to press reports.  Some passengers were still missing; others walked 10 kilometers to a UPDF detachment.
The UPDF stated that 23 trucks have been ambushed and burned since August 2006 in southern Sudan. 

Alice Lakwena, the founder of the Holy Spirit Movement and cousin to LRA leader Joseph Kony, died on January 18 in a refugee camp in Kenya.  The cause of death is unknown, but she had a lingering illness.  The Government of Uganda is defraying the costs of Lakwena's burial and sent Gulu District Chairman Mao traveled to Kenya to facilitate the return of Lakwena's body this week.  Minister of Internal Affairs Rugunda said that the Ugandan Government is offering assistance to Lakwena's family in making the burial arrangements, but there would be no state funeral as the family had requested.

On January 17, elected officials from Lira District attended a dinner with Ambassador and Embassy Staff to discuss the security situation in northern Uganda and the latest updates on peace negotiations. The officials said that even if LRA leaders agreed to a peace agreement there would still be major security concerns from raids by Karamojong cattle rustlers.  The officials said many of the IDPs in camps near the Karamoja region would not return to their lands unless a solution can be found to prevent incursions by the Karamojong raiders.

The local officials stated that any LRA peace agreement that included a component of "Mato Oput" (traditional mechanism of reconciliation) would require approval by Teso, Lango and Acholi tribes.  Members of the Lango tribe said the Acholi tribe could not make this decision unilaterally.  The elected leaders stated that "bringing the LRA fighters back into the community" was a primary concern, although during the course of discussions some added that there must be some sort of justice other than Mato Oput.

USG Activities:  Elisabeth Roesch is visiting Uganda from January 13-31 as a consultant to USAID’s Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM) to carry out a case study of the Uganda peace process.  Her findings will contribute to a Peace Process Toolkit being prepared by CMM to provide guidance to staff.  Her work will also be part of an evaluation of USAID’s Northern Uganda Peace Initiative and the design of future peace and reconciliation activities. She is meeting with Government of Uganda officials at the national and local level, civil society leaders, development partners and residents of IDP camps, to gain a broad understanding of USAID’s contributions and comparative strengths in promoting peace and reconciliation in northern Uganda.
 
Media reports indicate that the government has issued fresh guidelines for the resettlement of internally displaced people. Before IDPs can leave the camps, the district security committees will determine the safety of the villages of proposed return while upholding the principles of freedom of movement. The Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) statement sets out that district disaster management committees, will undertake collaborative assessments on the status of population movement and social services in areas of return and resettlement with the involvement of IDP representatives including women, persons with disabilities and youth. The government plans to increase the deployment of civilian police in the areas of return and displacement. The JMC statement emphasizes the need for clear, consistent and coherent messaging consistent with the principles of the National IDP policy and the need for basic service provision in the areas of return and resettlement.

December 23, 2006-January 12, 2007

During a visit to the assembly area at Owiny Kibul, the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team reported that no LRA had assembled, but that CARITAS was there with food and water supplies. 

The LRA and/or other unidentified militias were believed to be involved in a number of ambushes along roads between Uganda and Juba. On December 28, a UPDF officer was ambushed 20 kilometers from Juba along the Juba-Nisito Road.  On January 2, ambushes along the Juba-Nimule road left four dead and six wounded.  On January 7, unidentified gunmen ambushed a truck along the Juba-Nimule road, killing an SPLA soldier and a Ugandan truck driver.  On January 10, a World Food Program employee was killed during an ambush along the Juba-Torit road, 40 kilometers from Juba.  The SPLA is now escorting vehicles in convoy and the UPDF stated it beefed up its border security in response to the ambushes.

December 9-22, 2006

Four ambushes along the Juba-Torit road in southern Sudan between December 12 and 15 have been attributed to the LRA and others.  Forty people were killed in the attacks on lorries headed for Juba.

November 25-December 8, 2006

Reports that LRA movements from South Sudan toward northern Uganda near the West Nile region raised the alert status of the Ugandan military.  A group of six LRA members moved into Moyo District under orders from Otti.  One of the LRA members surrendered, the other five are at large.

Humanitarian organizations are able to access most IDP camps without military escort due to the improved security situation.  In Kitgum, 17 of 25 camps can be accessed without escort and the remaining eight only require one escort vehicle.  In Pader, 19 of 29 camps can be accessed without escort, with nine requiring one escort.  Only Latanya camp in Pader requires two escort vehicles.  In Gulu, 61 out of 65 camps do not require military escort, four require only one escort vehicle.

November 11-24, 2006

The security situation in LRA-affected northern Uganda remained calm.  The GOU's efforts to clear back-logged courts in Gulu continues.  On October 20, the project was exceeding GOU expectations.

October 28-November 10, 2006

There have been no LRA-related incidents in northern Uganda.  However, the GOU reports that armed ethnic Karamojong have attacked local residents in areas vacated by the LRA.  Two Karamojong attacks in Pader District have occurred.  In the first, a man was kidnapped and his animals stolen in Orungu IDP camp. He was released the next day. Another attack occurred in Osubu sub-county.

The Government is moving forward with its plans to re-establish rule law in the north.  In October, the Ministry of Justice deployed High Court judges to Gulu to clear the backlog of court cases that date to 2003. The judges will hear 220 civil cases prior to adjudicating 60 criminal cases.  There are over 400 criminal cases pending.  The 60 criminal cases being heard are plea bargains as the defendants already have served longer time in jail than their prospective sentences. The process will be speeded up once the justices have permanent accommodations in Gulu.  District officials have completed work on plans for the recruitment and deployment of police officers.  In Gulu and Amuru Districts, the GOU plans on deploying 30 police officers per sub-county.

October 14-27, 2006

UN agencies report that the security situation in northern Uganda remains calm, but several attacks--some by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and others which are still under investigation--in southern Sudan have made military escorts on main roads between northern Uganda and Juba mandatory.

Several deadly attacks occurred between October 7 and October 19 in southern Sudan.  On October 7, an LRA group led by Ongwen attempted to commandeer a canoe to cross the Nile River north of Juba at Mongalla. The local villagers fought back and four LRA members were killed and injured.  On October 16, three LRA members were injured in a skirmish with cattle herders during an attempted looting at Biliniang. 

On October 18, ambushes on main roads outside Juba resulted in 41 deaths.  The circumstances of the ambushes were disputed.  The LRA has denied involvement in the attacks.  UN Security personnel suspect the former Equatoria Defense Forces in the attacks.  SPLA officials and the head of the CHMT believe LRA were involved and continue to investigate.  The SPLA reportedly have taken into custody 15 individuals wearing Sudan Armed Forces uniforms. 

October 1-15, 2006

On October 3, the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) announced the resumption of normal operations and the closing of the safe passage routes for the LRA in northern Uganda.  The UPDF also stated that it would continue its deployment along the Nile River.  Press reports indicate significant UPDF deployments along the border with Congo in West Nile. 

Congolese rebels said that Ugandan rebel groups may be merging in the Ituri area near Rusu, Katanga, some 80 kilometers from the border.  Ugandan resident district commissioners in Arua and Nebbi held talks with their Congolese counterparts from Aru and Mahagi from October 6-7.  Congolese and Ugandan defense chiefs held talks in Kampala on October 10.

There is increasing criminal activity in Gulu and Pader Districts.  There have been a number of announcements that additional police officers would be deployed to the north.  However, there have been no noticeable police deployments.  A key problem is that the police in the north lack resources, including vehicles, fuel, police stations, and accommodations.  Meanwhile, undisciplined Local Defense Units that operate in many areas are responsible for a significant number of human rights abuses, according to local human rights groups.

USAID's Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy and Governance Paul Bonicelli visited Gulu from September 30 to October 2.  He participated in roundtable discussions with elected local government and religious leaders, a wide range of civil society and human rights groups, and members of various U.N. agencies providing relief, human rights, and development assistance in northern Uganda.  Interlocutors stressed that the security and human rights situation had improved markedly over the past six months and expressed their hope that a peace deal could be reached.  They also told Bonicelli that traditional accountability practices were appropriate and that calls for international justice could scuttle the peace process. They also said that additional resources would be needed for reconciliation and reconstruction programs to succeed at the local level.

September 16-30, 2006

The cessation of hostilities continues to hold.  Thirty-eight of fifty-two camps in Gulu District no longer require military escorts.  The OFDA program officer based in Gulu reports that curfews are being relaxed in many camps and IDPs are venturing past military security perimeters. 

The lack of civilian law enforcement institutions, such as a High Court, is a growing security and a human rights problem.  The lack of a High Court means that many accused plead guilty to be sentenced because the time spent awaiting trial, due to a lack of judges and magistrates, is longer than the sentences for the crime.

September 1-15, 2006

The cessation of hostilities has been respected with only minor incidents reported.  The LRA members moving to the assembly points have been friendly in encounters with local residents, who supply them with food and medicines as they move through the area.  Military escorts are no longer needed for eight of twenty-five internally-displaced persons camps in Kitgum District.

USG Activities:  A civil affairs team from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa will support the Mission's humanitarian assistance objectives, including targeted programs to improve human capacity and health, peace, security, and regional stability.  The immediate priorities will be providing water and health facilities to facilitate IDP resettlement in Kitgum.

August 19-31, 2006

An improved security environment over the past six months is easing humanitarian access to IDP camps, although the situation from week to week remains fluid.  Ninety out of 200 camps in Acholiland and Lira can now be reached without military escort, according to UNOCHA, up from 18 in April 2006.  However, UN security reports a significant increase over the past two weeks in LRA activity throughout Acholiland, possibly for re-supply before a cessation of hostilities.  LRA actions are directed in large part towards the theft of medical supplies and food.  No incidents have been reported involving international personnel.

In Pader, movement restrictions on civilians are still in effect, although they have been scaled down slightly for some locations.  On August 22, small LRA units attacked and burned an ambulance near Acuru, although the vehicle occupants were unharmed, leading UN security to increase temporarily the number of camps needing escorts.  LRA have been spotted near Amuru, Padibe, Mucwini, Akwong, Amida, and Paraborgo over the past month.

USG Activities:  U.S. military units, including the Marine Corps Reserve's 6th Engineering Support Battalion, Air National Guard medical personnel, and Army infantry soldiers from Ft. Riley, Kansas, completed a 10-day joint humanitarian assistance exercise with the Ugandan military in Soroti. The exercise included the provision of medical treatment for 5,000 area residents and the renovation of a health care center.  Rear Admiral Richard Hunt, Commander of U.S. Combined Joint Task Force, the Horn of Africa, and Ambassador Browning visited Soroti on August 23.  The training and visit received significant press coverage.

August 1-18, 2006

The security situation in northern Uganda continues to improve.   The UN reported that incidences of killing of civilians by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) dropped from 88 to one between January and June 2006.  Recent LRA operations have been carried out by small bands of rebels foraging for food against low risk targets.  Recent abductions are temporary in nature, with the abductees released after transporting looted items. 

A number of LRA commanders have been captured or killed over the past six months.

--Raska Lukwiya, one of the five leaders of the LRA indicted by the International Criminal Court, was killed on August 12 during a clash with Ugandan military forces.  Lukwiya and nine other LRA soldiers were tracked after they ambushed and killed a motorbike driver and Ugandan soldier on August 10 near Mucwini. 

The report notes that civil crime is rising in areas, such as Lira, where criminals are exploiting the lack of a police presence.  The Government hopes to deploy 800 new police officers.  Special police constables are in Lango, Teso, and Acholiland.

Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) partners report that UPDF escorts are no longer needed in many parts of northern Uganda.