Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies
The Region
A History of Recent Conflict in Northern Uganda
1987
The LRA, a self-proclaimed Christian guerrilla army, was formed with Joseph Kony as its leader.
The LRA, a self-proclaimed Christian guerrilla army, was formed with Joseph Kony as its leader.
Until 1991
The LRA raided the populace in Northern Uganda for supplies and abducted people.
The LRA raided the populace in Northern Uganda for supplies and abducted people.
March 1991
The population formed Arrow Groups to fight the LRA under the auspices of Operation North. When this failed, Betty Bigombe initiated the first face-to-face meeting between the LRA and the government.
The population formed Arrow Groups to fight the LRA under the auspices of Operation North. When this failed, Betty Bigombe initiated the first face-to-face meeting between the LRA and the government.
2 February 1994
Negotiations broke down after the LRA withdrew, citing a plot by the NRA to trap them.
Negotiations broke down after the LRA withdrew, citing a plot by the NRA to trap them.
6 February 1994
Ugandan President Yoweri K. Museveni announced a 9 day ultimatum for the LRA to surrender.
Ugandan President Yoweri K. Museveni announced a 9 day ultimatum for the LRA to surrender.
1994
The LRA began making mass abductions of youth and women.
The LRA began making mass abductions of youth and women.
October 1996
The LRA abducted 139 Aboke girls.
The LRA abducted 139 Aboke girls.
1996
Displaced people’s camps begin to spring up.
Displaced people’s camps begin to spring up.
March 2002
The UPDF launches “Operation Iron Fist” at LRA bases in Southern Sudan.
The UPDF launches “Operation Iron Fist” at LRA bases in Southern Sudan.
November 2003
UN Undersecretary Jan Engeland called the conflict in the north one of the worst emergencies in the world receiving little attention.
UN Undersecretary Jan Engeland called the conflict in the north one of the worst emergencies in the world receiving little attention.
December 2003
President Museveni invited the ICC to determine whether the LRA might be guilty of international war crimes.
President Museveni invited the ICC to determine whether the LRA might be guilty of international war crimes.
Mid-September 2005
Vincent Otti led the LRA into the DRC.
Vincent Otti led the LRA into the DRC.
8 July and 25 September 2005
Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo issued sealed arrest warrants for Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti, Raska Lukwia, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen.
Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo issued sealed arrest warrants for Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti, Raska Lukwia, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen.
13 October 2005
The warrants were unsealed.
The warrants were unsealed.
30 November 2006
LRA Deputy Commander Vincent Otti contacted the BBC, announcing the LRA’s renewed desire to hold talks.
LRA Deputy Commander Vincent Otti contacted the BBC, announcing the LRA’s renewed desire to hold talks.
June 2006
The government of Southern Sudan initiated mediation efforts led by Riek Machar, vice president of Southern Sudan.
The government of Southern Sudan initiated mediation efforts led by Riek Machar, vice president of Southern Sudan.
2 June 2006
Interpol issued five wanted Red Notices to 184 countries on behalf of the ICC. It is alleged that three of the indicted commanders have since been killed.
Interpol issued five wanted Red Notices to 184 countries on behalf of the ICC. It is alleged that three of the indicted commanders have since been killed.
14 July 2006
Talks began in Juba.
Talks began in Juba.
4 August 2006
Vincent Otti declared a unilateral ceasefire agreement and asked the government of Uganda to reciprocate.
Vincent Otti declared a unilateral ceasefire agreement and asked the government of Uganda to reciprocate.
12 August 2006
Raska Lukwiya, one of the indicted LRA commanders, was killed in battle.
Raska Lukwiya, one of the indicted LRA commanders, was killed in battle.
26 August 2006
Negotiators signed a truce requiring LRA forces to leave Uganda and assemble in two assembly points protected by Southern Sudan.
Negotiators signed a truce requiring LRA forces to leave Uganda and assemble in two assembly points protected by Southern Sudan.
September 2006
The government of Uganda announced a ceasefire and began creating “satellite camps” to decongest the main IDP camps. State efforts to suspend the ICC war crimes indictments against the LRA leaders were condemned by human rights groups but supported by leaders in Northern Uganda.
The government of Uganda announced a ceasefire and began creating “satellite camps” to decongest the main IDP camps. State efforts to suspend the ICC war crimes indictments against the LRA leaders were condemned by human rights groups but supported by leaders in Northern Uganda.
May 2007
Resumption of talks with the intervention of His Excellency Joachim Chissano, the UN special representative of the Secretary General for LRA-affected areas.
Resumption of talks with the intervention of His Excellency Joachim Chissano, the UN special representative of the Secretary General for LRA-affected areas.
May 2007
Mediation is continued by the government of Southern Sudan supported by UN logistic facilitation from the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Mediation is continued by the government of Southern Sudan supported by UN logistic facilitation from the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
20 August 2007
Legal advice is sought for the establishment of a War Crimes Court.
Legal advice is sought for the establishment of a War Crimes Court.
November 2007
An LRA delegation led by Martin Ojul journeyed to Kampala and Northern Uganda to restate their commitment to the peace talks.
An LRA delegation led by Martin Ojul journeyed to Kampala and Northern Uganda to restate their commitment to the peace talks.
3 November 2007
Unverified reports emerged that Joseph Kony had executed Vincent Otti.
Mid-April 2008
Unverified reports allege that Okot Odhiambo had been killed.
Unverified reports allege that Okot Odhiambo had been killed.
Early 2008
Detailed agreements were signed in quick succession, including: a legal framework for justice and reconciliation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, the recovery of war-affected areas in Northern Uganda, and a truce on accountability and reconciliation.
Detailed agreements were signed in quick succession, including: a legal framework for justice and reconciliation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, the recovery of war-affected areas in Northern Uganda, and a truce on accountability and reconciliation.
19 February 2008
A decision was reached that war crimes would be tried by a special division of the High Court.
A decision was reached that war crimes would be tried by a special division of the High Court.
22 February 2008
Rebels walked out of the talks after being denied senior government posts and leadership positions within the army.
Rebels walked out of the talks after being denied senior government posts and leadership positions within the army.
23 February 2008
The government and the LRA signed a permanent ceasefire scheduled to go into effect 24 hours after the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty the following week.
The government and the LRA signed a permanent ceasefire scheduled to go into effect 24 hours after the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty the following week.
28 February 2008
Rebels demanded the retraction of the ICC indictments, but the government of Uganda stated that it could only comply after the rebels had demobilized.
Rebels demanded the retraction of the ICC indictments, but the government of Uganda stated that it could only comply after the rebels had demobilized.
29 February 2008
An accord on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration was signed.
An accord on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration was signed.
5 March 2008
ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo stated that arrest warrants remain in effect and must be executed.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo stated that arrest warrants remain in effect and must be executed.
10 March 2008
A delegation from the LRA met with officials of the ICC Registry in the Hague to discuss legal procedural issues in regards to the LRA facing arrest warrants.
A delegation from the LRA met with officials of the ICC Registry in the Hague to discuss legal procedural issues in regards to the LRA facing arrest warrants.
17 March 2008
LRA leader Joseph Kony allegedly relocated from his base in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Central African Republic.
LRA leader Joseph Kony allegedly relocated from his base in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Central African Republic.
31 March 2008
Joseph Kony did not appear to sign a final peace agreement, stating that he was ill.
Joseph Kony did not appear to sign a final peace agreement, stating that he was ill.
10 April 2008
Signing the agreement failed when Kony stated again that he was ill.
Signing the agreement failed when Kony stated again that he was ill.
26 May 2008
A special war crimes court is established.
A special war crimes court is established.
5 June 2008
The LRA attacked the Sudan People’s Liberation Army at Nabanga killing 21 people, seven soldiers, 14 civilians, before killing a village chief at a neighboring village of Yamba.
The LRA attacked the Sudan People’s Liberation Army at Nabanga killing 21 people, seven soldiers, 14 civilians, before killing a village chief at a neighboring village of Yamba.
17 September 2008
Reports indicate that the LRA attacked Congolese villages in the north-eastern DRC (Dungu Territory).
18 September 2008
Suspected LRA elements allegedly attacked an Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) detachment in South Sudan. One SPLA soldier and three LRA rebels were killed, villagers abducted and houses looted and burnt.
19 September 2008
A joint press statement signed by the Chief Mediator and Government of South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar Teny, LRA peace delegation leader, David Matsanga and the Paramount Chief of Acholi in northern Uganda, Rwot David Acana II said the Final Peace Agreement "cannot be renogotiated".
21 October 2008
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber commenced consideration of the admissibility of the case against Kony and his top commanders Vincent Otti, Okot Odhiambo and Dominic Ongwen, in light of two submissions made by Uganda on the status of the execution of warrants of arrest in March and July 2008. These refer to the establishment in May of a special division of the Ugandan High Court as an alternative to the ICC process.
30 November 2008
Kony failed to sign the Final Peace Agreement, demanding the deferral of the ICC arrest warrants. President Museveni has reportedly assured Kony his government would not hand over Kony to the ICC if he signs the Agreement.
14 December 2008
The militaries of Uganda, the DRC and Southern Sudan launched a campaign (Operation Lighting Thunder) against LRA bases in the forested area of Garamba, in eastern DRC. The main camp of Kony was reportedly destroyed.
23 December 2008
As the military offensive continued, Kony was reported to be hiding in the Central African Republic.
25, 26, 27 December 2008
The LRA reportedly struck the village of Faradje in the DRC, killing 40 people. 149 more people were killed by the LRA after they attacked two more villages. Approximately 20 children were abducted from Faradje, 120 houses were set on fire, and numerous buildings, including the hospital and the police barracks, were looted. OCHA reported the entire population of Faradje, some 30,000 people, had left.
3 January 2009
The DRC's Information Minister Lambert Mende said some LRA elements were preparing to enter the Central African Republic. U.N., Congolese and Ugandan officials have said the rebels, estimated to number between 800 and 1,000, have splintered into smaller groups.
23 December 2008 - 6 January 2009
LRA rebels reportedly killed more than 50 people in Maridi County of Western Equatoria state of southern Sudan.
7 January 2009
Uganda's government reportedly dismissed a demand by the LRA for an immediate ceasefire.
23 January 2009
OCHA estimates recent LRA violence has left 900 people dead and uprooted 130,000 others, with more than 8,000 Congolese taking refuge in Southern Sudan.
28 February 2009
OCHA reported returns continue across the Acholi region, with only 30% of original IDPs remaining in camps.
10 March 2009
Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court ruled that the case of the situation in Uganda was admissible.
15 March 2009
Troops from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) and from the South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) began withdrawing from northeastern DRC.
Sources
Uganda Coalition for the International Criminal Court (UCICC);
Security Council Report (SCR).
Pabo, captured here, is the largest IDP camp in Uganda. By the time of officially closing the camp in December 2008, there were 75.379 IDPs. In 2005, this giant community shared one pump for water and had no clinics. Later, thanks to the advocacy of guests and work by governmental and civil society organizations, living conditions have improved. Many individuals have returned to their villages, only 22.500 people remain in the camp. An immense need remains for vocational training and start-up assistance to encourage independent living.
Emerging from War
Northern Uganda is a lush equatorial region predominantly populated by the Acholi, an agricultural people culturally distinct from the rest of Uganda. The largest town in the region is Gulu, a veritable epicenter of NGOs and a main stopping point on the road to Sudan. Other towns include Lira, Kitgum, Pader, Amolatar, Apac and Oyam. Most of the population lives in the countryside raising cattle and growing crops such as cassava, beans, malakwang, tobacco, watermelon, cotton, ground nuts, maize and matoke. The land is soft during the rainy season and always fertile, so green things flourish without much encouragement. The weather is pleasantly warm, and even decades after colonization the people still enjoy their traditional music and dancing.
It is difficult to imagine that anyone living in a place this beautiful could think of war. The girls carrying babies on their backs look more like responsible older sisters than former sex slaves; and the boys laughing in the school yard look nothing like war veterans. Yet the frank stories these people can tell about the destruction of their homes, the violence they have endured, and their daily struggle for basic survival are simply horrifying.
This country has been at war for more than two decades, and for the first time sustainable peace seems possible. But to make that happen, Uganda and especially the north will need assistance to transform itself into a viable community once more. Cratered roads need to be paved so that business can travel to neighboring countries. Clinics need to be established and maintained so that students will be healthy enough to study in school. Farmers need simple tools, safe water and food assistance at least until they produce their first crops. Failure to fulfill these basic needs is bound to result in perpetual dependence, sickness, poverty and death.
More than ever, it is now an appropriate time to engage in capacity building, peace building, development, and human rights training. These issues are so interrelated, nothing apart from a coordinated effort will transform northern Uganda into a stable society. Internally displaced persons, especially the youth, must begin vocational training so that they can support themselves. Waste and sanitation programs should be developed so disease stops crippling business and education. Anticorruption measures at both local and national levels would help ensure accountable and reasonable governance for the people. Advocates for all of these efforts are in place, but in many circumstances they simply lack the funding to act.
Northern Uganda is a land with an indomitable spirit. The people know how to work, and they know how to live. The only question remaining is whether they will be given that opportunity.
- Maisha Elonai, IPSS, 2008 -
