Features

August 14, 2007

Attitudes about Peace and Justice in Northern Uganda

The ICTJ, in collaboration with the Human Rights Center at UC-Berkeley and the Payson Center for International Development at Tulane University, have produced this preliminary research note to preview  findings expected to be released in a more comprehensive, analytical report in the Fall of 2007.

From April to June 2007, researchers interviewed citizens in eight counties most affected by the conflict to document their attitudes about mechanisms for peace and justice, such as the national courts, the International Criminal Court (ICC), amnesty, traditional ceremonies, and truth-seeking efforts, as well as measures for victims, such as reparations. The sample size was 2,875 interviews covering eight districts in the North: Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lira, Oyam, Soroti, and Amuria. In this sense, the data represents populations most directly affected by the conflict.

According to the report, the primary findings thus far fall into four categories and are as follows:

• Priorities and accountability: The main priorities for respondents at the time of the survey were health, peace, livelihood, and education. While only 3 percent of respondents mentioned justice as a top priority, more than two-thirds of respondents said it was important to hold accountable those responsible for committing human rights violations.

• Mechanisms for peace and justice: When asked which mechanisms would be most appropriate to deal with those responsible for violations of human rights, equal numbers mentioned the International Criminal Court (29%) and the Ugandan national court system (28%). As many as 71 percent of those who had heard about the ICC said it had contributed to reducing the violence and pressuring the LRA into peace talks, but a majority also said that pursuing trials now (prior to the conclusion of the peace talks) could endanger the peace process.

• Exposure to violence: Suffering in the North has been widespread. Twenty-one percent said they had been abducted by the LRA for over a week, and 2 percent for over a year.

• Reintegration of former LRA: A majority are ready to live with the LRA in their midst, but attitudes varied across regions, with the Acholi districts being most welcoming.

To read the report, click here.