OCHA Situation Report
Uganda
16 - 30 September 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I. GENERAL HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

Security

The situation has remained calm, with no major incidents reported, since 
August 28. According to United Nations Department of Safety and Security 
(UNDSS), most Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have moved to Owiny Kibul in 
Southern Sudan. However, there are official government reports that some 
LRA elements are leaving the designated assembly point, moving 
eastwards. The same reports also indicate that the LRA have halted peace 
talks in Juba until the issue of UPDF deployment in Uganda, Southern 
Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are addressed.

While the UPDF and LRA are observing the cessation of hostilities 
agreement, various criminal groups have started exploiting the security 
vacuum created. There are reports of banditry committed by armed 
criminals commonly known as Boo Kec. They have so far been reported in 
Pece Division, in Gulu where they exchanged fire with the UPDF on 
September 4th and near Corner Kilak in Pader, where they attacked a 
vehicle, robbed and injured two occupants.

In Katakwi and Amuria, there are continued reports of Karimojong 
warriors sneaking into camps. Three incidents were reported between 
September 12 and 21 in Obalanga and Ngariam sub-counties. The Arrow 
Militia and Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) warded them off successfully. 
One casualty was reported and four cows stolen.

The warriors are also reported to make incursions into neighbouring 
Kitgum and Pader districts. On September 13 the warriors killed two men 
and raped one woman in Lukole village in Pader. Again on September 15 
suspected Jie warriors ambushed a lorry moving from Kotido to Kaabong. 
In Kitgum, on September 23, a group of Karimojong warriors were reported 
in Lagot village, in Mucwini sub-county.

In Lira, there were killings reported on September 21 and 27, although 
the culprits are yet unidentified. Both killings were on Apala Road, in 
Apala sub-county.

In Hoima, Allied Democratic Front (ADF) presence was reported. According 
to the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) 10-15 armed ADF rebels 
were seen in Bugoma national forest on September 18.

Access:

As the security environment continues to improve, UNDSS is considering 
increasing the hours of travel and the number of camps that can be 
accessed without military escort. Already in Gulu and Amuru, UNDSS 
indicates that out of 65 camps in the districts, 61 can be accessed 
without security escort, while four require one escort vehicle. To-date, 
the travel hours remain the same but agencies may extend based on advice 
from UNDSS on case by case basis.

In Kitgum, UNDSS and the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) are set to 
begin a joint security risk assessment at the start of October. Some 
agencies have expressed fear that this could set the basis for 
withdrawing armed escort. However, the UPDF continues reassuring 
agencies that armed escorts will not be withdrawn until it is clear that 
the peace process is on an irreversible course.

II. POPULATION MOVEMENTS

Return and Resettlement

As displaced populations continue to move back to their original home 
areas or to new settlements, the Kitgum District Committee on Population 
Movement is developing an information pack in preparation for a 
dissemination campaign to facilitate informed decision making amongst 
IDPs regarding resettlement.

In Pader, an IDP movement sub committee has been constituted, comprising 
International NGOs, local NGOs, UN agencies, security personnel, and IDP 
representatives. The committee main task is to identify and assess 
potential new settlement sites proposed by the district authorities and 
the IDPs. The committee will conduct assessment from October 25 to 
October 28.

IDP population revalidation exercise

The data entry process for the verification of IDP figures in Acholi 
region is in progress. The initial figures are expected to be available 
by the end of October.  The exercise was a collective effort, with the 
district authorities, UN agencies and NGO partners all participating and 
contributing in different ways.  WFP and IOM are supporting the data 
entry exercise.

Night commuters

As has been the trend since January, the number of night commuters has 
continued to fall. This is mainly attributed to improving security 
situation in the region. Latest statistics from UNICEF indicate a 
reduction from 10,302 in July to 8459 in August. Of these, 818 are 
adults and 7641 are children.

III. SECTORAL ISSUES AND ACTIVITIES

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

In the wake of an Avian Flu scare, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal 
Industry & Forestry (MAAIF) officials visited Kitgum on a fact finding 
mission and to sensitize district leadership and other stakeholders 
about the deadly disease. At the end of the visit, MAAIF officials and 
stakeholders resolved to form a multi-sectoral task force, to 
immediately embark on sensitization of communities and to reinforce 
border surveillance, since the disease had been reported in Juba, 
Southern Sudan. Rapid response teams were formed, trained and 
facilitated in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and West Nile. Meanwhile trade in 
poultry and pigs has been banned at the border of North Uganda and South 
Sudan

In Gulu:

Three new cases of cholera were reported, one in Municipality camp and 
two in Bibya. These raised the cumulative figure of cases from 31 at the 
end of August to 34 as of September 22. According to WHO, the situation 
remains precarious since the epidemics are still on-going in Kitgum, 
Adjumani and Southern Sudan, which have close proximity to Gulu/Amuru 
districts, compounded by inadequate availability of clean and safe 
waters, poor sanitation facilities and hygiene. The districts have 
maintained active surveillance and high state of alert.

A suspected case of measles was reported on September 18. This was a 
16-month old female baby from Odek Camp, who had been immunized in the 
recently concluded mass measles campaign.

One suspected case of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) was registered. This 
was a 29-month old male baby from Unyama Camp. Stool samples have been 
taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute for examination.

In Kitgum:

The District Department of Health Services (DDHS) reported that cholera 
entered its 38th epidemiological week on 22 September, with a cumulative 
total of 1,086. Between September 11 and 18, a total of 18 cholera 
admissions were recorded in Kitgum Town Council alone. The border town 
of Potika registered two cases including one death.

In the fight against malaria, Oxfam distributed 5,246 mosquito nets to 
displaced households.

In Lira:

In Ogur and Abia, CCF in partnership with DDHS distributed and promoted 
the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), trained Community Resource 
Persons (CORPs) and camp leaders in malaria prevention and treatment. 
Under its Community-Based Reproductive Health Program CCF supported the 
training of CORPs in family planning and safe delivery in Obim, Abia, 
Adwari. The organisation also trained 30 community members in response 
to SGBV in Obim sub-county. CCF is continuing with mobilization and 
sensitization of communities in Abia and Adwari camps on family planning 
methods. The challenge is that contraceptives are not available.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) conducted counselling and testing 
for HIV/AIDS and TB. Among the clients were 18 pregnant women of whom 3 
tested HIV positive and were given ARV treatment.

COSBEL distributed 75.5 metric tons of food from WFP to 1331 People 
Living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). They also conducted home visits and formed 
a post test club attended by 379 clients.

Samaritan Purse conducted HIV/AIDS education sessions, provided food 
aid, clothes, and hygiene supplies to 29 PHAs. They also made follow up 
home visits to 139 PHAs under Home Based Care.

Rich Consult trained young people in adolescent sexual reproductive 
health through group talks, peer education, teacher-pupil sessions and 
health workers.

Aids Information Centre undertook counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS 
and syphilis. They also distributed basic care kits and conducted radio 
talk shows about HIV/AIDS.

LIDNET conducted home visits for PHAs, did counselling and referral for 
HCT and distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) 
materials on HIV/AIDS.

Alice Labol Foundation Registered 32 new clients for Community Home 
Based Care (CHBC) and distributed 720 condoms.

Marie Stopes distributed Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) 
materials, trained condom distributors and set up new condom 
distribution sites. They also conducted HIV/AIDS counselling and 
testing, delivered assorted sexually transmitted infections (STI) drugs 
in Aloi, Ogur, Amach and Barr IDP camps.

Caritas broadcast HIV/AIDS prevention radio spots on Radio Wa, 
distributed HIV/AIDS BCC materials, trained 65 Peer Educators and 
supported the formation of 10 youth HIV/AIDS clubs.

National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA) Supported 25 
PHAs women in will and memory book writing.

UNICEF Supplied 600 tablets of Nevirapine to support 12 Prevention of 
Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) sites. They also supported the DDHS 
with 645,000 Paediatric Cotrimoxazole for prevention of Opportunistic 
Infections and approved 4 Project Co-operation Agreement (CPAs) to scale 
up Children and AIDS activities in the district.

FOOD AID/FOOD SECURITY

According to WFP, improved security has resulted into better access to 
land in almost all IDP locations. The consequent improvement in food 
security is however insufficient for self reliance and the IDPs in Gulu, 
Kitgum and Pader are still dependant on food aid for over half of their 
requirements.

In Gulu:

Displaced persons are weeding crops planted at the beginning of the 2nd 
rainy season - simsim, ground nuts, and beans. WFP reported a marked 
improvement in quantity and quality of food stocks and that the 
September distribution of general food aid was completed on schedule, 
with no pipeline breaks. In preparation for return of IDPs to villages 
of origin, WFP has commenced a 50 acre seeds multiplication project in 
Labora farm.

In Lira:

Fida International mobilized 580 households to benefit from FAO's 
agro-forestry project in Abako and Barr sub-counties. These will all be 
trained in tree planting and management practices by FAO. After 
training, each household will receive nine (9) tree seedlings for 
planting including citrus, calliandra and eucalyptus.

Working with ACF, USA, COOPI and FIDA, FAO has distributed seeds and 
tools to 19,111 households and ox ploughs to 9,500 households. FAO has 
also trained farmers in agronomy.

FAO is piloting Farmers Field School (FFS) program in Orum and Amugu 
sub-counties with 8 groups comprising 30 farmers each. Thus far, the 
groups have received seeds and toolkits, ox ploughs for the second 
planting season, and weekly training. The groups will also be given 
grants to setup income generating enterprises.

In Katakwi and Amuria

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Distributed 1,636 bags of cassava 
cuttings to 818 households in six villages in return areas in the Sub 
Counties of Ongongoja, Usuk and Magoro.

Under Food For Assets (FFA) programme, WFP undertook to monitor the 
construction of teachers houses in three schools. It was noted that the 
level of community participation was remarkably high.

NON FOOD ITEMS (NFI)

In Lira:

Although it is a rainy season, there are camp fires being reported. 
According to Christian Children's Fund (CCF), the latest fire outbreak 
was in Agweng Camp and it razed more than 50 huts. Affected families 
have all received non-food relief items. Although the population blame 
evil spirits, it is suspected that acquisition of more relief items 
could be the real motive behind the continued fires.

Light Force International (LFI) Distributed 85 large family tents in 
Okwang camp, 856 family kits in Bar Lonyo and 12,500 family kits to 
return populations in Abako and Amugu sub counties. They also 
distributed toolkits to clear roads and school compounds. LFI further 
distributed ITNs and clothes to 5000 households in in Abako sub-county.

Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) distributed tarpaulins, blankets, 
cooking pots, soap, jerrycans, cups and plates to 573 households in 
Barocok, 484 households in Barjobi return areas and 68 households in 
Agweng camp; distributed tarpaulins, blankets, cooking pots, soap, jerry 
cans, cups and plates to 2,748 households in Alito, 798 households in 
Onekgwok,1653 households in Aloni, 3044 households in Ngai T.C., 1,084 
households in Ader, 2,134 households inOtwal, 2,011 households in 
Barrio, 984 households in Itubara, 2,168 households in Anyomolyec and 
1,895 households in Ojwii camp.

UNICEF Distributed motorcycles and computers to the districts 
authorities of Lira, Dokolo, Apac, Oyam, and Amolatar. The same items 
were also given to URCS, YSA and Salvation Army to facilitate them in 
the implementation of UNICEF programmes.

WATER AND SANITATION (WATSAN)

In Gulu, Catholic Relief Services (CRS)/CARITAS completed and handed 
over motorized boreholes in Patiko Ajulu and Coope camps. Each borehole 
rates an output of 48,000 litres per day. According to CARITAS that 
output could be increased if there were enough fuel supply to prolong 
the pumping hours. In Koch Ongako and Keyo, drilling has been completed.

In Katakwi and Amuria

Water Aid Uganda drilled six boreholes in areas of return in Aberilela 
and Acowa Sub Counties. The organization also constructed 15 rain water 
jars of 1,500 litres each in the same areas.

LWF trained 12 pump mechanics ? eight in Katakwi and four in Amuria. 
They also refurbished 14 boreholes in return areas.

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