OCHA Situation Report
Uganda
Report for July 2004
22 September 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I. SECURITY
Security Overview

UPDF's assault on LRA bases in Sudan continued relentlessly in August and 
an estimated 120 LRA fighters were reportedly killed in these attacks. 
During the month, the UPDF operated mainly out of Juba and pursued the LRA 
to its bases in eastern Equatoria, southern Sudan (most recently in 
Parajok, on 24 August). However large numbers of Sudanese civilians have, 
reportedly, been killed by the LRA during attacks on villages in eastern 
Equatoria. As military engagements between the LRA and UPDF continue, so 
do isolated brutal attacks by small bands of LRA rebels against civilians 
in IDP camps, villages and on roads in northern Uganda (Acholi sub-region) 
and to a lesser extent the Lango sub-region. There have also been several 
reports of LRA crossings into Uganda from southern Sudan, particularly 
into Kitgum and Pader district, and then into Gulu. A group of between 
70-150 rebels led by LRA Commander Odiambo is believed to have moved back 
to Lira district. It should be noted that Kitgum and Pader districts and 
the northern parts of Lira continue to have high incidence of insecurity 
due to heavier presence of LRA compared to Gulu district. Nevertheless, 
throughout August, relative calm was maintained, especially in Gulu. 
Incidents of low to middle-rank LRA commanders being captured by or 
surrendering to the UPDF continued in all conflict affected districts, 
giving renewed hope to many that the 18-year-conflict may soon end 
However, many humanitarian workers remain sceptical about this situation, 
unless high profile LRA commanders begin to surrender voluntarily, as 
opposed to being captured. As far as the IDPs are concerned, protection of 
civilians remains an issue of major concern. In the Teso, calm has largely 
returned to the sub-region, with the exception of areas bordering Lira and 
Karomoja which still experience unease about possible LRA and Karimojong 
warrior threats, respectively.

DISTRICT SECURITY UPDATE

Gulu -- Security in August remained calm with heavy LRA sightings but 
limited security incidents. The belt across Bobi, Opit, Lalogi, Acet, 
Awere; areas where Apac District borders with Gulu; Awach-Palaro area and 
Amuru-Alero-Anaka area to the west of Gulu registered LRA crossings, 
leaving IDPs anxious and wary of attacks.

There are still reports of ex-LRA rebels demanding for their property 
which they allegedly acquired through LRA collaborators. The UPDF 
reportedly detained some alleged collaborators. In Pabbo camp, about 40 
people were confirmed arrested/detained during the third week of the 
month. The Uganda Human Rights Commission and The Human Rights Focus 
(HURIFO) are investigating these arrests. The month also witnessed 
arrests, by security agents, of Congolese women on allegations of being 
spies of a neighbouring country.

Through August, the number of LRA returnees continued to increase on a 
daily basis. However, the returnees are reported to be disgruntled over 
the inadequate resettlement package from the Government, a trend that is 
potentially a security threat.

Kitgum -- The relative calm experienced through most of August was 
disrupted towards the end of the month, as insecurity intensified. One of 
the worst incidents included an LRA attack on 25 August, on an IDP camp in 
Orom, which left two civilians dead, four abducted and 25 huts burnt. 
Security sources in Kitgum blamed the incidents on the fresh arrival of 
LRA troops from Sudan, some under Commander Odiambo. However, despite the 
incidents, the continued increase in the number of reporters and killing 
of LRA fighters in action seems to maintain the hope that the rebels are 
close to defeat. August also registered a number of robbery incidents in 
Kitgum. In one incident, the UPDF arrested two armed thugs, who were 
allegedly on a robbery spree. In early August, residents arrested 
uniformed men believed to be members of the Frontier Guards, a local 
militia, when they entered houses around Town College in Kitgum and tried 
to flee with some resident's belongings.

Pader -- Like Kitgum, there were sporadic security incidents throughout 
the month and these intensified towards the end of August. Although 
minimal, the LRA attacks, road ambushes, abductions and killing of 
civilians maintained the insecurity in the district, confining IDPs to 
their camps.

Lira -- The overall security in Lira continued to improve throughout 
August, although Otuke County suffered from intermittent LRA attacks and 
ambushes. There were also various LRA sightings with no incidents 
reported. There were attempted LRA attacks in Obim, Ogur, Apala, Orum, and 
Olilim. A cattle-raiding incident by Karimojong was also recorded, as well 
as an increase in armed robberies in Lira town (prompting the district 
security committee to step up military night patrols). Some of the 
reported incidents in the month include the following;

    On 5 August - An unknown number of Karimojong looted 50 cattle from
    Corner Otema just outside Orum camp. Nobody was injured and the
    Karimojong escaped with the cattle.

    On 4 August - 15 LRA rebels were sighted at Adwari but no incident
    occurred. The UPDF followed them to Orum but did not engage them. The
    District Internal Security Office (DISO) stated that it is becoming
    common for small rebel groups to pass near UPDF detaches, apparently as
    a prelude for surrender.

    On 11 August -- A splinter group of about 12 LRA rebels, reportedly
    looking for food was repulsed from Amida village in Erute North by the
    Amuka boys (a local militia) and UPDF. There were no causalities or
    injuries.

    On 15 August - A vehicle was ambushed on the Adwari-Okwang road by an
    estimated 6-7 rebels at 18:00 hours. A passenger was killed and the
    rebels escaped when a nearby army patrol responded.

    16 August - A truck was attacked on the Olilim-Kotido road. A civilian
    was killed and the truck was burnt.


Teso -- Security in Teso (Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido districts) 
remained stable throughout August, with a few cases of rebels surrendering 
to the UPDF. In the last week of August one LRA rebel from Pader 
surrendered in Kaberamaido. Apparently he claimed that some of his friends 
were still at large. Such reports maintain fear among IDPs who want to 
return to their homes of origin.


II. IDP MOVEMENT AND CAMP ISSUES

Gulu -- August saw a decline in night commuter numbers within Gulu 
municipality from 29,250, in early July, to 20,040 by the end of this 
month. However, the night commuter phenomenon is also reported by the Gulu 
Health Sector Working Group to be present in the rural camps, where many 
of them continue to displace patients from their health centre/hospital 
beds as they look for safety. The camps worst affected by the phenomenon 
include Lalogi, Awach and Bobi. Meanwhile, there was a small increase in 
the population of Bobi camp at the beginning of August to 20,000, from 
18,073 in late July. This is because of continued insecurity in the 
outlying villages surrounding the camp.

Kitgum -- Due to heavy LRA presence in the district, IDPs could not move 
beyond half a kilometre from their camps. Like Kitgum, Pader did not 
record any significant IDP movement.

Lira -- The number of camps in Lira remains the same and IDPs from the 
urban camps continue to return to camps in their sub-counties of origin. 
Meanwhile, WFP reported an increase in the population of IDPs in the rural 
camps (most likely from municipal camps), as indicated by the number of 
unregistered households that turn up for food distribution.

Areas identified by the district for the relocation of IDPs are reportedly 
full (Bala, Ireda, Telela, and Erute). The district has identified land 
around Lira P.7 and is in negotiation with the School Management Committee 
for more. To date, the highest number of IDPs has relocated from various 
camps to Ireda. In addition, about 200 households moved from Akitenino to 
Telela and few others to Bala stock farm. No IDPs have moved from Obim 
Rock, whose relocation the army recommended. The district met and 
discussed the issue with the IDPs in question but so far, no further 
action has been taken.

Teso -- In Teso region IDPs continued to gradually move to rural camps in 
sub-counties near to their homes of origin where there is relative peace. 
The humanitarian agencies are now beginning to focus planning on 
programmes that support the resettlement and recovery process. However, to 
ascertain the rate of movement and locations where IDPs are resettling, it 
is important to conduct a thorough verification.

III.  ACCESS ISSUES

Access to Gulu IDP camps by humanitarian agencies was generally better in 
August, thanks to the relative improvement in security. Agencies were 
however, cautious to visit the Opit-Lalogi- Awere belt, to the east of 
Gulu town; and the Amuru, Alero, and Anaka areas, south west of Gulu town, 
as several rebel crossings were reported.

Some reports indicated improved access by IDPs to their farmland. However, 
despite the relative improvement in security, the IDPs remain wary of the 
unpredictability of LRA activities. Alokolum camp IDPs in Gulu, reported 
incidences of the UPDF preventing them from accessing their farmland for 
security reasons. Returnees have reportedly advised the UPDF that the best 
way to end the war is to deny the LRA access to food. In that vein, the 
Gulu Protection Working Group (PWG) has received reports that some IDPs, 
especially in Alokolum, have been barred from cultivating their gardens 
and some have reportedly been beaten and their gardens slashed down by 
UPDF, as a way of denying LRA sources of food. Another concern of the PWG 
is that if WFP only distribute a 78% food ration, then where would the 22% 
food gap come from, if the IDPs were denied access their gardens? The PWG 
is yet to produce concrete evidence to be presented to the UPDF.

In Kitgum, due to the increased LRA presence in the district, sub-counties 
north of Kitgum became dangerous to access by humanitarian agencies, 
especially towards the end of August. In Lira's case, access to the IDPs 
has improved, although Otuke county (which borders Pader district) 
sometimes had only partial accessibility due to suspected LRA activities.

IV. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND ASSISTANCE

General Food Security Situation

August registered a good rainfall pattern in Gulu. Consequently, the main 
activities in the farms/ gardens have been the weeding of crops (sweet 
potatoes, beans, peas, sorghum, cassava, rice), and harvesting (maize, 
groundnuts, millet, and vegetables-cabbage, tomatoes, okra, boo, egg 
plants).

Some of the crops harvested are also sold in order to purchase other basic 
needs.

In Lira, the second season rains started on time, although the 
distribution is reportedly uneven. There is significant land preparation 
and planting in and around the camps, especially in the rural areas. 
However, as mentioned previously, limited access to agricultural inputs 
(seeds and tools) may limit the production.

In Teso region however, the harvest is reported to be poor as a result of 
unfavourable climatic conditions in the previous months. The second season 
rain pattern has been fairly stable with favourable intervals of sunshine, 
which are ideal for agriculture. The farmers are trying to utilize these 
second season rains to compensate for the loss during the first rain 
season. Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWCR), an 
international NGO, is working on a concept paper on food security with the 
purpose of producing a proposal for food security for Teso region.

Food Aid

The month saw WFP reducing its monthly food rations from 100% to 98% for 
extremely vulnerable individuals (EVIs), and from 78% to 72% for normal 
beneficiaries, as a way of coping with the anticipated pipeline shortage. 
Three days in the monthly cycle were lost because of cereal shortages in 
the Gulu stores. The distributed food basket in the month included 
cereals, beans, and vegetable oil. Corn Soya Blend (CSB) has been resumed 
for only school feeding and social support programmes (AIDS/HIV, 
Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding Centres (SFCs and TFCs). As part of 
its food security strategy, WFP distributed vegetable seeds to the IDPs 
and also started its Food for Work/Assets programmes in some camps.

In August, WFP began shifting from general IDP food distribution by 
household to distribution by family size in Kitgum and Pader. However, 
while the family size distribution is expected to ensure a better coverage 
of the population and reduce the unacceptable rate of food insecurity (10 
% GAM, WFP's recent preliminary nutrition survey report) amongst IDPs, WFP 
says significant fraud has been discovered in the process. Some family 
sizes have been increased to as high as seventeen and multiple names 
discovered on the logs. In Kitgum, reports coming from the field suggest 
that total verified family sizes are likely to exceed WFP's working figure 
of 267,078 IDPs. Coupled with this challenge is the bad road condition, 
particularly the collapse of a bridge, a kilometer from Rwac Koko in Pader 
on the road leading to Lira. The bridge between Gulu and Kitgum is also 
unable to support the size and weight of trucks used to ferry food. With 
the expected rainy season, even longer routes are likely to become 
impassable, and if nothing is done to repair roads and bridges, food 
delivery will be hindered.

In Lira, WFP reported an increase in the population of IDPs in the rural 
camps (most likely from municipal camps), as indicated by the number of 
unregistered households that turn up for food distribution. The agency 
also noted that a number of registered households in the municipal camps 
do not turn up for distribution. As a result, the monthly distribution for 
the municipal camps has reduced from about 800mt in May to about 650mt in 
July. The agency, together with the district is planning a verification 
exercise for the rural camps, which has already started with the 
registration of IDPs by the camp leaders.

In Teso region, WFP is conducting an Emergency Food Security assessment to 
examine the changing IDP situation to establish if there is access to 
agricultural land, crop performance for the season and current food 
consumption and stocks. WFP is also interested in ascertaining the coping 
strategies employed by IDPs. The process started with training of data 
collectors from 18-19 August; and then data collection for Katakwi from 
20-27 August; Kaberemaido from 28-31 August and Soroti from 1-4 September. 
Meanwhile Katakwi IDPs received food aid on 16-27 August 2004.

WFP concluded distribution of resettlement rations to the formerly 
displaced families in Soroti and Katakwi districts in July and August 
respectively. An improved security situation in the region enabled people 
to move back to their villages or satellite camps closer to their homes. 
In Soroti district, 35,189 persons displaced in four affected sub-counties 
(Katine, Tubur, Gweri and Arapai) received 502 tons of food in July. In 
Katakwi district, 130,773 persons displaced in three sub-counties (Amuria 
Kapelebyong and parts of Usuk) received a total of 2,218 tons of food in 
August. WFP is conducting a verification exercise to determine the 
affected population in Kaberamaido district.

Agricultural Aid

URCS and CEASOP received only 2500 kits from FAO instead of the planned 
22,000 meant for Lira. The kits consist of 5kg each of beans and maize, 
and 250g of cowpeas and 20g of eggplant, cabbage and okra seeds and 1 hoe 
per household. Distribution of kits was done in Aler (1300 hh), Barr (492 
hh) and Bala Stock Farm (700 hh). The mobilised farmers expressed 
disappointment over promised kits. WFP distributed vegetable seeds 
alongside the general food distribution and is expected to cover all 
households in the rural camps.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUTRITION

In spite of the nutrition interventions, there is still a high incidence 
of malnutrition in the conflict affected districts in north and north 
eastern.

In Gulu, the malnutrition problem is compounded by a shortage of milk and 
CSB from UNICEF and WFP respectively. SciU plans to start a community 
therapeutic feeding programme, if it is within the Government policy. The 
Gulu District Department of Health Services (DDHS) agrees that there is an 
urgent need to discuss community treatment of malnourished children. WFP 
has introduced again for households with under 3-year-old children, 
pregnant mothers of over 6 months, lactating mothers, and the HIV/AIDS 
affected households. This new system will be effected once the household 
lists are compiled. ACF and World Vision are no longer able to supply 
drugs to TFCs, as the DDHS has the capacity to take over the drugs supply, 
although they would still require transport from these agencies.

In Lira, coverage of health services in the camps remains weak. District 
mobile clinics in municipal camps work irregularly. MSF-H are working in 
three rural camps -- Aromo, Amugo and Aloi with outreach programmes in 
three other camps, while CCF has commenced emergency health programmes in 
Barr and Dokolo. Lira District has drawn a provisional District 
Health/Nutrition response plan covering all the IDP camps, with support 
from MSF/H, Medical Aid Uganda, CCF and Caritas. Admissions to the TFC 
decreased slightly in August when compared to the July figure - perhaps 
because of the harvest. Medical Aid Uganda continues to conduct 
consultations and minor surgery, in addition to supplying drugs to IDPs in 
the urban camps, from their Lira town centre.

Incidences of malnutrition and infant mortality are still high across Teso 
sub-region and health workers in camps remain inadequate as most of the 
trained health workers have moved away from the camps, shifted to camps 
nearer to their homes or returned to their villages. Getting medical staff 
back to the camps remains a big challenge. Key issues that need to be 
addressed in this sector include, improving liaison with other health 
actors in provision of Primary Health Care; outreach services to 
communities in the region's sub-districts for curative services;

increase awareness among the returning community, IDPs and leadership 
structures for purposes of promoting their participation in health 
programmes.

WATER AND SANITATION

There are various interventions in this sector but the problem of 
inadequate water and sanitation facilities is enormous and major gaps 
remain. In Kitgum and Pader, efforts are being coordinated to effectively 
address the acute shortage and appalling WATSAN situation in IDP and night 
commuter sites. At the moment water consumption amongst IDPs varies 
between 2 to 4 litres per person per day, and latrine use is at an average 
300 persons per squat hole. This is in sharp contrast to the Sphere 
Minimum Standard of 15 litres per person per day and 20 persons per squat 
hole respectively. ICRC has brought into the district a water drilling 
machine and is currently undertaking a geophysical survey to begin the 
sinking of boreholes and the construction of 200 latrines in the five 
camps it has earmarked for its integrated relief assistance programme. 
UNICEF and OXFAM are also concluding plans to boost WATSAN at night 
commuter centers.

Generally, Teso region has inadequate distribution of safe water sources 
and poor maintenance of the water and hygiene facilities in the rural 
areas where IDPs are/are returning. The Soroti Water Sector has observed 
that the water sources are fairly distributed in the municipality, with 
the exception of a few IDP locations where it is impossible to drill 
boreholes e.g. in Olila, and Nakatunya camps where the quality of water 
has been contaminated due to proximity to latrines and trenches. An 
assessment by the district water Department revealed that the sub-counties 
of Tubur, Katine and Arapai (which were affected by LRA activities) and 
some parts of Serere and Kasilo (where IDPs settled) do not have adequate 
safe water sources. In Katakwi, the water sector working group (SWG) 
submitted two proposals of UGSh.82 million to the district Executive 
Committee: one for motorized water system for the four camps of Acowa, 
Obalanga, Morugantuny and Orungo and another one for reallocation of funds 
to cater for operation and management costs. Both proposals have been 
approved and funds allocated. In Kaberemaido, UNICEF has funded the 
rehabilitation of 20 water sources and 18 are already complete.

Thus priorities in the water sector in Teso include 
drilling/rehabilitation of new boreholes in camps, and where people have 
returned/settled; and provision of low cost water sources such as shallow 
wells for IDPs and returning populations in the LRA affected areas, in 
addition to promotion of self-help programmes in construction of latrines.

EDUCATION

Humanitarian actors under this sector continue to intervene on the various 
issues including learning shelters/centres, need for more teachers and 
teacher training. In Kitgum, on 19 August, NRC launched a two-year 
emergency education program after signing a memorandum of understanding 
with the district to construct 84 permanent classrooms for primary 
students and train all (1,574) primary school teachers in the district in 
addition to the present students of the Primary Teachers College. Under 
the program, NRC will also provide furniture and equipment for the 
schools, construct 60 drainable latrines of three stances each, and build 
ten teacher's houses. UNICEF also plans to construct eighteen blocks of 
two semi permanent classrooms in Kitgum district in order to decongest 
overcrowded learning centres.

In Lira the number of trained teachers in the rural areas is still low. 
According to the District Education Office, over 60 percent of the 
teachers in the rural schools are volunteers. SCiU completed the 
renovation of two classroom blocks in Aloi, while the district conducted a 
two weeks training for head teachers in psychosocial support.

In the Teso sub-region the departments of education are in consultation 
with agencies working in education programmes to seek ways and means of 
improving the children's access to quality education in areas where IDPs 
are returning. By the end of the second school term in mid-August, all the 
schools in Soroti district were opened. However, some schools in Soroti 
town remain overcrowded as a result of hosting children from districts 
affected by LRA activities. In Kaberemaido, learning centres still exist 
in Anyara, Otuboi and Alwa, while in Katakwi, there are 17 learning 
centres in Amuria and Kapelebyong counties. SciU will rehabilitate and 
construct three schools and pit latrines and also provide scholastic 
materials in Otuboi and Anyara sub-counties in Kaberamaido district.

SHELTER AND NON-FOOD ITEMS

About 23,000 IDP households are benefiting from ICRC general non-food 
items (NFIs) distribution in five camps in Kitgum. The NFI kit comprises 
laundry soap, plastic buckets, pot set and lids, metal plates, cups and 
jerry cans. Prior to this, ICRC had distributed 50,443 hoes along with 
nearly ten tons of agricultural seeds to IDPs in the five camps in Kitgum. 
AVSI plans to begin periodic distribution of laundry soap to nine camps in 
Kitgum and Pader. Meanwhile, agencies in the sector are developing a 
shelter and NFI intervention matrix which is expected to improve 
coordination, identify gaps and avoid duplication of activities.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROTECTION

'Forced labour'

The issue of forced labour in Gulu was reported in July (see Humanitarian 
Update, Volume VII, Issue VII: July 2004). In August, Lt. Col. Achoka, the 
UPDF officer responsible for the security of IDPs in Gulu district, 
informed the Protection working group (PWG) that it was illegal for 
civilians to be forced by the UPDF to slash, and that such cases should be 
reported so that the commanders responsible for perpetrating the practice 
would be punished/prosecuted. Unsubstantiated reports in Gulu indicate 
that lower ranks of the UPDF involved were asking for money/bribes in lieu 
of labour. The Gulu PWG is investigating the claims, and will be 
consulting the local authorities.

Child labour

Displaced children between 5-15 years of age are increasingly engaging in 
petty trade in and around Lira town. Some leave school before time to 
loiter in town to engage in petty trade and hawking, while some parents 
deliberately send out their children to earn income for the household. 
Concerned Parents Association (CPA) is working with a youth group from the 
Starch Factory IDP camp to sensitise the community on child labour.

Repatriation of ex-LRA

Seventy seven persons were repatriated (mainly comprising of ex-LRA child 
combatants) from Juba to Gulu town, on 4 August 2004. 22 of these - 6 
wives and 16 children - were members of Joseph Kony's immediate family. On 
27 August, another batch of 48 ex-LRA returnees were repatriated from 
Sudan to Gulu. Amongst the returnees were two former Aboke girls (abducted 
in 1998). One Sudanese Minister, IOM and UNICEF officials escorted the 
returnees from Juba.

PEACE AND RESETTLEMENT

The peace and resettlement working group continues monitoring the 
relocation of Lacor IDPs to other IDP camps. Many of the IDPs are now 
enlisted in the WFP food aid ration programme. As optimism of peace and 
possible return grows, the sector group would like to encourage a 
voluntary re-location process, as some of the displaced may prefer to 
remain within the camps closer to existing trading centres, such as Pabbo.

V. POLICY CONCERNS

Issue of non-gazetted camps clarified

At the workshop on "Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: 
Humanitarian challenges in Uganda" 7-8 September - organized by the Policy 
Development Unit, New York in collaboration with the Inter-agency Internal 
Displacement Division, Geneva, and OCHA Uganda - the First Deputy Prime 
Minister and Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Rt. Hon. 
Moses Ali, who was the Guest of Honour, clarified Government's position 
regarding the issue of gazetted or ungazetted IDP camps. According to him, 
Government was responsible for the protection of all civilians wherever 
they may be in the country. It is worth-mentioning that the terminology 
has been loosely applied to distinguish IDP camps that received WFP food 
assistance ("gazetted") from those that did not ("ungazetted"). Government 
also informed the participants of plans to put into place a policy 
requiring all humanitarian actors to be accountable to the Government of 
Uganda.

Resettlement of ex-LRA combatants.

This has become an area of concern in Gulu district. It has been raised in 
several fora by both NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). World 
Vision has particularly raised concern over the resettlement of ex-LRA 
commanders after completion of the reception centers' process. Many of the 
commanders are unwilling to resettle in the IDP camps, hence some over 
stay in the centres. The Labora farm resettlement programme by government 
is an option that must be carefully and cautiously monitored. The District 
requires urgent support in resettlement of ex-LRA. UNDP and World Vision 
have been identified as agencies that could provide the district with the 
necessary expertise.

Amnesty Act and commencement of the ICC probe

On 17th August, Government extended amnesty to the LRA for another three 
months. This is the twelfth time it has been extended since the amnesty 
act was established in December 2000. The previous amnesty period expired 
on August 16 2004. However CSOs are uneasy about the Government proposal 
to amend the Amnesty Act.

Civil society organisations are also concerned about the commencement of 
the International Criminal Court's (ICC) work in Uganda. These agencies 
feel that the timing is wrong, since currently many LRA combatants are 
voluntarily surrendering, and it is possible that the ICC process may 
discourage this positive trend. In fact, one LRA returnee reported on the 
'Dwog Paco' programme on Radio Mega FM that more senior LRA commanders 
would have surrendered, but were now afraid of prosecution by the ICC. 
Civil society organisations will form a coalition through the Gulu 
District NGO Forum to voice their concern over the ICC presence in the 
country. The Amnesty Commission and the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace 
Initiative have urged the ICC to temporarily suspend its work, in order to 
give 'blanket forgiveness a chance' at this time. However, institutions 
such as the UPDF maintain that the ICC process should continue.

IDP policy approved

On 25 August 2004, the government of Uganda approved the National Policy 
on Internal Displacement (IDP Policy). This creates a framework for the 
GoU and its international partners to address the protection concerns of 
IDPs, as well as prepare for the anticipated voluntary return of IDPs to 
their areas of origin, security permitting. It is worth-noting that OCHA 
supported the Office of the Prime Minister/Department of Disaster 
Management and Refugees (OPM/DDMR) in drafting the policy.

Night commuters

An inter-agency headcount of night commuters in 18 centers in Kitgum 
District on 17 August 2004, by the District, UN agencies, local Red Cross 
and NGOs in Kitgum, yielded a population figure of 18,058, reflecting a 
slight reduction by 10 percent against the 4 April figure of 19,979. In 
Kalongo, Pader, where some 11,000 night dwellers had been recorded in 
March 2004, a recent inter-agency verification exercise also yielded a 
reduced figure of 5,500. The recent reductions in night commuters' figures 
are attributed to improvement in security around July to early August.

Camp fires

Yet another campfire outbreak was reported on 19 August in Pabbo IDP camp, 
Gulu, where 10 huts were burned. Following the numerous camp fires through 
the year, OCHA initiated the visit of the Uganda Police Fire Brigade 
officials and UNSECOORD to the district to carry out a fire management and 
prevention needs assessment. They visited Pabbo, Awer, Te-Tugu and Gengari 
IDP camps. The report is yet to be compiled and distributed.

VI. MISSIONS AND VISITS

The major missions to the conflict-affected districts included the 
following:

    President Museveni spent several days in Gulu at the end of August. He
    also used Gulu as a base to visit Kitgum (24 August), Pader and Lira.
    There were perhaps two main political themes during his visit. Firstly,
    was the President's belief that the war was nearly over and the need
    for re-settlement investment. In an interview with Radio Mega, he urged
    Joseph Kony and other high-ranking LRA commanders to surrender. The
    President stressed that he would consider amnesty for them and would
    try and persuade the ICC not to prosecute them. Secondly, he was
    critical of the aid agencies for not fostering development in the
    district and only concentrating on short-term relief. The agencies
    needed to support the integration of ex-LRA combatants and to support
    the resettlement of IDPs back to their home areas.

    OCHA hosted a visit by Robert Muggah, a Geneva based consultant, who
    was looking at issues of small arms proliferation in the region as well
    as camp security. He met with a range of Police and UPDF officials,
    NGOs, surgeons at Lacor Hospital and Government security advisers. He
    undertook field visits to Pabbo, Awer, Bobi, Palenga and Te-Tugo to
    examine camp security and to assess people's knowledge of small arm
    ownership.

    A small team from the ICC arrived in Gulu in mid-August to have
    discussions with local organizations about the prosecution process. The
    ARLPI organized a separate seminar to brief civil society organisations
    about both ICC and the Amnesty processes.


VII. AFFECTED POPULATIONS

The contents of this Update do not necessarily represent the views of the 
United Nations. Sources for the Humanitarian Update include Government, 
UN, NGOs, donors, IOs and news agencies.

- Figures for the displaced people do not reflect "night commuters" in the 
towns. It should also be noted that the figures, especially in Teso and

Lango regions fluctuate according to the prevailing security.

- The refugee and IDP figures as of end July 2004.

- The trend will remain as unless there is a change (either increase or 
decrease) of 500 people.

|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|  Affected   |                      |              |      |
| Populations |                      |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|  District   |   Beneficiary Type   | End July 04  |Trend |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|  Adjumani   |Refugees (Su)         |        61,901|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|    Arua     |Refugees              |              |      |
|             |- Imvepi (Su)         |        19,092|      |
|             |- Rhino Camp (Su, DRC,|        26,173|      |
|             |Br)                   |         6,928|      |
|             |- Madi Okollo         |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|    Yumbe    |- Ikafe               |         7,874|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|    Gulu     |IDPs                  |       438,639|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|    Hoima    |Refugees (DRC, Su, Ky,|              |      |
|             |Br)                   |        17,226|      |
|             |- Kyangwali           |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|  Kabarole   |Refugees              |              |      |
|             |- Kyaka II (DRC)      |         6,066|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|   Katakwi   |IDPs                  |       144,945|      |
|   Soroti    |IDPs                  |        88,000|      |
| Kaberamaido |IDPs                  |       107,560|      |
|             |                      |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|   Kitgum    |IDPs                  |       273,078|      |
|    Pader    |IDPs                  |       279,526|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
| Lira rural  |IDPs                  |       212,139|      |
|    camps    |IDPs                  |        81,857|      |
|    Lira     |                      |              |      |
|municipality |                      |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|   Mbarara   |Refugees              |              |      |
|             |-Oruchinga (Rw)       |         4,258|      |
|             |-Nakivale (Rw, DRC,   |        15,304|      |
|             |others)               |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|   Masindi   |Refugees              |              |      |
|             |- Kiryandongo (Su)    |        14,184|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|   Moroto,   |Drought Affected      |             -|      |
|   Kotido    |                      |              |      |
|Nakapiripirit|                      |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|    Moyo     |Refugees (Su)         |              |      |
|             |- Palorinya           |        31,520|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
| Urban areas |Refugees (mix)        |           134|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|Total        |                      |       210,660|      |
|Refugees:    |                      |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|Total IDPs:  |                      |     1,625,744|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|Total Drought|                      |             -|      |
|Affected:    |                      |              |      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|
|Total:       |                      |     1,836,404|      |
|-------------+----------------------+--------------+------|


Affected population figures are of variable accuracy due to rapidly 
changing situation as well as the varying quality of information sources. 
Inclusion in this list does not necessarily indicate the population is 
receiving humanitarian assistance. Affected population figures are of 
variable accuracy due to rapidly changing situation as well as the varying 
quality of information sources. Inclusion in this list does not 
necessarily indicate the population is receiving humanitarian assistance. 
Note too that IDP camp populations reflect the population assisted by WFP 
(does not include unassisted population figures). Abbrev. are Sudanese 
(Su), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, (Rw), Burundi (Br), 
Keny(Ky)

For more information or to contribute to the Humanitarian Update - Uganda, 
please contact:

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
15 A Clement Hill Road
Ruth Towers B6
Kampala, Uganda
TEL: +256 031 242 804/9
FAX: +256 031 242 801
Email: jane.namulindwa@wfp.org OR  charlotte.kawesa@wfp.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
     Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                    guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -