NORTHERN UGANDA NOTES (JANUARY 1-31, 2009)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KAMPALA 000120 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID AND OFDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF ASEC EAID UG SU CG SUBJECT: NORTHERN UGANDA NOTES (JANUARY 1-31, 2009) REF: A. KAMPALA 113 B. KAMPALA 116 C. KAMPALA 94 KAMPALA 00000120 001.2 OF 005 ¶1. Summary: The following Northern Uganda Notes provide information on the situation on the ground and USG activities aimed at meeting Mission objectives in northern Uganda. These objectives include promoting regional stability through peace and security, good governance, access to social services, economic growth, and humanitarian assistance. Post appreciates feedback from consumers on the utility of this product and any gaps in information that need to be filled. End Summary. -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PEACE AND RECONCILIATION PROCESSES -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. Joint military operations against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continued. LRA spokesperson David Matsanga traveled to Maputo on January 4 with a letter for UN Special Envoy for LRA-Affected Areas Joachim Chissano. Matsanga appealed for a ceasefire in the ongoing military offensive against the LRA. He claimed that Kony wanted the peace negotiations re-opened. Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports that the LRA High Command had dismissed Matsanga and his deputy, Justine Labeja. ¶3. On January 13, Gulu Archbishop John Baptist Odama, an Acholi religious leader, called on the governments of Southern Sudan, DRC and Uganda to stop the offensive against the LRA rebels. He argued that the war was costly and many innocent people were being killed. He appealed to the allied governments to consider returning to the peace talks. ¶4. The UN Security Council (UNSC) issued a statement on January 16 strongly condemning the recent LRA attacks on Congolese civilians, which have resulted in over 500 deaths, 400 abductions, and the displacement of 104,000 people. The UNSC expressed grave concern at the scale of these atrocities and emphasized that those responsible must be brought to justice. The UNSC reiterated its call for the LRA to cease its attacks, recruitment and use of children, and to release all women, children and non-combatants. It expressed disappointment that its previous calls have not been heeded. The UNSC urged the LRA to surrender, assemble, and disarm, as required by the Final Peace Agreement (FPA). ¶5. Uganda's Amnesty Commission granted amnesty to Major Johnson Okello (a.k.a Dennis Okiror) and Lt. Col. Silva Ochora (a.k.a Ray Achama) on January 22. The two were former members of the Cessation of Hostility Monitoring Team for the LRA. ¶6. USG Activities: Ambassador Browning and P/E Chief met with the Acholi Parliamentary Group on January 9. The parliamentarians raised concerns about the protection of civilians during the military operations against the LRA. The APG was disappointed in the PRDP delay but had recommended a postponement because it was not yet implementable in a coherent, accountable manner (ref A). ¶7. Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa and Chief of Defense Forces Aronda Nyakairima briefed the diplomatic corps on January 23. Ambassador Browning attended. Nyakairima announced a three-week extension of joint military operations against the LRA. The extension was agreed to during Nyakairima's meeting with the Congolese Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Didier Etumba, in Dungu on January 18-19. They agreed to review the progress of the operation at the end of 21 days. Nyakairima told the diplomatic corps that the LRA had used the peace process to re-organize, recruit, and replenish their supplies. Nyakairima appealed to the UN Mission in Congo (MONUC) to assist in rapid response through logistics support for Congolese troops deploying to protect threatened civilian populations. - - - - - - - - SECURITY UPDATE - - - - - - - - ¶8. The joint military operation, "Operation Lightning Thunder (OLT)," continued with close cooperation between allied forces from DRC, Uganda, and southern Sudan. On January 9, the allied countries agreed to reinforce the mission. On January 12, the Government of Central African Republic (CAR) announced that it would reinforce troops on the DRC border to prevent the LRA from escaping into its territory (ref B). ¶9. The LRA continued to suffer losses of fighters and equipment. On January 2, the Ugandan forces captured two LRA rebel commanders, James Onen and Peter Okot, and rescued eight Congolese captives. On KAMPALA 00000120 002.2 OF 005 January 13, the UPDF captured two LRA rebels during an ambush in Doruma. On January 19, the UPDF killed three LRA fighters during an exchange of fire north of Doruma. On January 22, OLT Joint Task Force Commander Brigadier General Patrick Kankiriho said the joint military forces killed nine LRA fighters and captured one during another engagement. On January 23, the UPDF reported that it killed 22 LRA rebels and rescued 11 captives during battles between January 18 and 22. ¶10. AFP reported that LRA deputy Okot Odhiambo told them that he had defected. He claimed that he had broken away from LRA leader Joseph Kony and that he was negotiating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Odhiambo said he was badly injured and did not want to continue in the bush. ¶11. The LRA continued to attack civilians. On January 2, LRA rebels attacked Garamba National Park headquarters. United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) reported 80 women were raped and 160 children abducted and 225 people displaced from Faradje, DRC in December. From January 1-9, the LRA abducted 13 people and burned houses in Mundri west, DRC, according to local officials. On January 7, the LRA killed four people including a police officer, abducted 10 others, and looted property when they attacked Bangolo. The LRA killed six Congolese including a soldier when they attacked Sambia on January 11. Fifteen civilians were killed on January 9 in Kana. The rebels reportedly killed five civilians and injured six others in Tora Town. Human Rights Watch reported that the LRA killed 300 people in Doruma during a massacre at Christmas (ref C). ¶12. On January 19, HRW reported that LRA rebels executed 16 Sudanese civilians, who had been abducted in a separate attack in south Sudan. Also on January 19, LRA rebels reportedly killed the Chief of Bamani in Ibba County in western Equatoria state. On January 20, LRA fighters killed two people including Chief Gordon Jalal Ngirimo of the Azande tribe and abducted two children during an attack in South Sudan. On January 22, the local residents vowed to form self-defense groups to counter the LRA. ¶13. USG Activities: P/E Chief and DATT met with HRW analysts who had just returned from a three-week visit to Doruma, Duru, and Faradje (ref C). The HRW team estimates that the LRA killed 800 people and abducted 460 children between September and December ¶2008. LRA attacks in September and October in the Dungu area were likely in retaliation against local communities for assisting LRA defectors. In December, the LRA's brutal attacks against civilians deepened civilian resentment and made it more difficult for surrendering LRA or escapees to make it to safety. ¶14. On January 16, Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, briefed the UNSC on the situation in northeastern DRC. Holmes said that the situation had deteriorated following the failure of LRA leader Kony to sign the FPA. Holmes pointed out that LRA rebels had committed atrocities in south Sudan, DRC and CAR. He urged the LRA to cease hostilities, sign the FPA, begin assembly and demobilization without delay, and immediately release all abductees, particularly women and children. He reminded Uganda, Congolese, and southern Sudanese military forces to conduct their operations in strict compliance with international humanitarian law. He urged them to take all feasible precautions to spare civilians from the effects of hostilities, including non-combatant women and children who are among the LRA fighters. Holmes stated that he would visit the DRC, including Dungu and Faradje, to see the situation at first hand in February. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶15. The Government of Uganda (GOU) announced delay in the implementation of the Peace, Recovery, and Development Plan (PRDP), its framework for the rehabilitation and recovery in war ravaged northern Uganda (ref A). In a letter dated December 22, 2008, Prime Minister Nsibambi informed donors that the implementation of the PRDP would begin in July 2009. The Prime Minister reluctantly took this step after northern parliamentarians raised concerns about the capacity of the government to deliver planned projects and ensure accountability within the current PRDP structure. Northern politicians requested the delay and commended the Prime Minister for his honest appraisal of the PRDP's shortcomings. Some, however, used the opportunity to criticize the Government for lacking the political will to assist marginalized northerners. Government officials are fully aware of the political ramifications of their decision, but stated that "getting it right" was more important than KAMPALA 00000120 003.2 OF 005 rushing forward and not being able to deliver critically needed services. The delay does not affect ongoing U.S. Government programs supporting PRDP priority sectors in health, education, agricultural, and infrastructure. ¶16. In response to negative media reports, the Government issued a press statement on January 9 saying it had not suspended the PRDP. The GOU explained that the Ministry of Finance, line ministries, the districts, and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) struggled with the challenge of disaggregating additional resources from normal budgetary allocations. Nsibambi stated that between January and July, PRDP activities within the districts would be prioritized for full-scale implementation beginning in July 2009. During this period, each ministry will submit its procurement plan to the PMO and strategies for measurable indicators would be developed and made available to all stakeholders. The statement also outlined activities under the PRDP framework including road construction, resettlement programs, provision of tractors to open up land, and electrification projects and ongoing donor programs. These included $163 million in development assistance from the U.S. Government, $100 million from the World Bank, and substantial contributions from Denmark, The Netherlands, and the European Union. ¶17. The PMO gave each district work plans to disaggregate PRDP funding requests by priority sector and to determine if the requests are in addition to the current budget allocation. The PMO established an office in Gulu, which will oversee PRDP implementation and provide assistance to district governments. The districts and ministries will provide the PMO with quarterly performance reports to determine whether the GOU is getting value for its money. The GOU promised to release funds in a timely matter to the ministries and district accounting officers. ¶18. USG Activities: In January, USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) approved three new grants to rehabilitate a borehole, a health center, and staff housing for health workers in Gulu District. To date, OTI has approved 37 grants for $1.5 million. On January 22, the USAID Northern Uganda Advisor attended the inauguration of U.S.-funded grain storage facilities in Lalogi sub-county, Gulu District. On January 30, Mission personnel attended the final day of an OTI dance competition that had been organized in all 11 sub-counties in Gulu District. The purpose of this grant is to promote peace and reconciliation through the use of dance to help reinforce Acholi traditions and culture. Each sub-county held dance competitions between three to five dance groups, with the winners participating in final competitions at Pece Peace Memorial Stadium in Gulu. First prize included two oxen and plows for the dancers' communities. Bicycles and radios were given to other participants. ¶19. The USAID Mission Director hosted all USAID partner organizations working in the region to the first of its quarterly meetings for 2009. Over 40 representatives working in all sectors attended. The Mission Director laid out USAID's plans to revise the country strategy and strategic approach for the north as well as his vision for achieving greater synergy between USAID programs in the north. He also visited the Amuru/Alero Primary School, where OTI is rehabilitating classrooms, a kitchen, latrines and eight teachers' living quarters. Completion is slated for mid to late February. ¶20. Mrs. Browning and P/E Chief visited several USG-funded projects in Lira. At Otino-Waa Children's Village in Lira on January 29, Mrs. Browning toured the newly finished beekeeping facility and inspected the orphanage's connection to the electrical grid. Both projects received USG funding. The President's Emergency Program for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funded the beekeeping facility and the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund supported the electricity project. These projects provide income-generating opportunities for 200 children at the orphanage and some 20,000 families in the surrounding community. The community has been deeply affected by both HIV/AIDS and the LRA conflict. ¶21. The team met with Angelina Atim of Concerned Parents Association, an effective non-governmental organization that formed in response to LRA abductions in the north. Atim, whose human rights work has received significant international recognition, said that 24 of the 30 "Aboke Girls" who were abducted from their boarding school in 1996 are back. Atim reported that three of the former abductees were now pursuing university-level studies, two of whom were studying medicine. Atim said that the resumption of normal life in Lira has helped victims continue with their recovery from the psychological trauma of their experiences. However, she stated that more counseling and assistance should be provided to both victims and other members of society to overcome the affects of KAMPALA 00000120 004.2 OF 005 the conflict. The conflict's social impact can be seen in the high rate of alcoholism, teenage street children, and increased child prostitution. She and other concerned parents are planning a program called "Community Bridge" to address these and other social consequences of the war. The project would also use truth-telling and other forms of reconciliation to help heal the trauma of the war. ¶22. On January 30, Lira District Chairman Franco Ojur told P/E Chief and Mrs. Browning that restoration of an effective educational system is his highest priority. He said that reconstruction of schools, latrine facilities, and teacher housing are critical. He expressed appreciation for USG-funded projects in the north. Ojur said that the local population in Lira is supportive of the joint military operation, but remain focused on day-to-day life. The harvest was disappointing due to poor rainfall. ¶23. P/E Chief and Mrs. Browning also visited U.S. Department of Labor-funded program to combat child labor on January 20. Over the past three years, Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda-Ethiopia-Together (KURET) Program to End Child Labor (KURET) provided assistance to over 5,000 children at risk for the worst forms of child labor in Lira and Dokolo Districts. The KURET program also created child labor committees to identify working children and put them in school. The program led to the creation of local by-laws to penalize employers and parents who exploit children for their labor. A new three-year program, Livelihood Education and Protection to End Child Labor (LEAP) implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is removing 11,000 children from hazardous work and will improve schools in locations near sites known for employing children, providing an indirect benefit to the entire community. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FROM THE MEDIA AND THE WEB - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶24. Media reports in January continue to focus on the joint attack on the LRA bases in the DRC. One opinion piece described the role of the UN in the attack and another ponders what might happen if the attack does not prove successful. Another opinion piece supported the attack, while HRW continues to emphasize civilian protection. ¶25. The January 5 edition of the government-owned daily, "The New Vision" ran a piece by UPDF spokesman Major Paddy Ankunda. In the article, "The UN Played a Key Role in Kony Attacks," Ankunda disagreed with those who think that the joint attack on the LRA bases was unnecessary and that peace talks should continue. He said that the two-and-a-half years of talks produced a FPA, which Kony has refused to sign and so it may not be wise to continue with the talks amidst continued violence by the LRA. According to Ankunda, this concern comes out clearly in the UN Security Council's December 22 Presidential Statement, which "strongly condemned the attacks by the LRA in the DRC and southern Sudan." He cited the Council's support for a joint military operation launched by the DRC, Uganda and southern Sudan to flush the LRA out of the DRC and quoted from the statement, "We reaffirm that ending impunity is essential for a society recovering from conflict to come to terms with past abuses committed against civilians and to prevent their recurrence." Based on this, Ankunda wrote that for anybody to try to discredit the joint military action against the LRA is to run away from the popular will that is supported by the international community. ¶26. On January 11, Presidential Advisor on Northern Uganda, Richard Todwong, wrote an article for the government daily "The New Vision" entitled, "Acholi MPs Should Stop Adoring Kony." According to Todwong, the reaction of some parliamentarians to the joint military attack on the LRA showed that some of them are "true Kony apologists" whose double standards prove that some of them could be Kony's real political wing and that the views they have expressed are the total opposite of the majority feelings in Acholi. According to Todwong, many people in Acholi supported the attack and were hoping for firm assurance from the Government that, this time, Kony will be history. The members of parliament, however, are creating fear in internally-displaced persons camps and even causing those who had resettled in their homes to return to the camps. They have also not condemned Kony's refusal to sign the FPA. Todwong concluded that the MPs are using the attack to mobilize political support. ¶27. On January 22, weekly political magazine "The Independent" ran a column, "What if the Next UPDF Offensive Does Not Smoke Out LRA," by guest columnist Peter Otika. He argued that while many pro-government and war-hungry agitators say the LRA refused to sign the FPA, prompting the government to attack them, they stop short of KAMPALA 00000120 005.2 OF 005 mentioning that President Museveni has not signed it either. He asked whether there should be another phase of war just because someone did not sign a "piece of paper." According to him, people in northern Uganda have been left to choose between which is worse, instead of which is better. To them, for justice to be done, both the LRA and UPDF should be put on trial. He argues that it is everyone's responsibility to reject war and promote peace, to keep the army out of the presidency and, instead, demand democratic, accountable leadership. ¶28. In an open letter to the African Union Chairman Jean Ping on January 22, the HRW said that the African Union (AU) should attach top priority to civilian protection and bringing human rights abusers to justice. Released before the AU summit, which will take place from January 26 to February 3 in Addis Ababa, the letter analyzes the human rights crises in Somalia, Zimbabwe, the DRC, Sudan, and Guinea and points out that the horrific killings carried out by the LRA in Orientale province highlight again the inadequacy of international, local, and regional efforts to protect civilians. Georgette Gagnon, Africa Director at HRW, noted that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued an arrest warrant for senior LRA leaders and said that the AU should demand that they be apprehended and handed over. ¶29. On January 25, the East African (regional weekly) published an opinion piece, "It's Time to Stop This Rebel Nuisance," by freelance journalist Chege Mbitiru. He wrote that four African nations (DRC, Rwanda, Uganda and the Government of southern Sudan) are engaged in unprecedented military offensives against undesirable elements that are fighting for dubious causes. According to Mbitiru, the LRA would be comical, were it not for its atrocities, and is a voodoo outfit. However, reports of progress against the LRA remain scant. In fact, Mbitiru said, Ugandan legislators are grumbling and want information and detailed financial information because Uganda is the leading partner in the offensive. He argued that to Uganda, the LRA is currently not even a nuisance, but the rebels cannot be allowed to regroup after Kony's refusal to sign a peace agreement. He disagreed with those who argue the offensive sets a precedent for potentially stifling dissent. "These arguments are invalid," he wrote. "Uganda...has enticed Kony's outfit with enough carrots to constipate. It's time for big sticks." BROWNING