OCHA Situation Report
Uganda
21 July - 15 August 2006
21 September 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I. GENERAL HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

Security

The conflict affected districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Amuru and Pader 
(Acholi) and Lira, Oyam North and Apac (Lango) have experienced relative 
calm in recent weeks. According to an evaluation by the United Nations 
Department for Security and Safety (UNDSS), the LRA activities have 
remained at an all time low since June. There have been few 
confrontations with the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and 
temporary abductions by the LRA. There have been several sightings of 
LRA, especially in Kilak, Anaka and Palaro in Gulu districts, but no 
hostilities and killings were reported. LRA continue with self 
preservation and survival strategies like stealing crops.

In Karamoja, the forceful disarmament exercise continues. There are 
still complaints about the spill over effects of the exercise, which 
includes frequent attacks and incursions into neighbouring districts of 
Kitgum, Pader, Katakwi and Amuria by the warriors. In Katakwi district, 
a newly trained force, the Anti Theft Stock Unit (ASTU) has been 
deployed to beef up security along the front line sub counties of 
Katakwi district including Ngariam, Usuk and Magoro.

Access

Humanitarian access in all conflict affected districts has markedly 
improved, with agencies now reaching 90 displacement camps without 
military escorts in the Acholi sub-region and northern Lira district 
(compared to 18 prior to April 2006). This is largely attributable to 
current security situation in the region. In Pader and Kitgum, it has 
been reported that there are plans to scale down the provision of 
military escorts.

Nonetheless some aid agencies in Pader have taken the unilateral 
decision to review their escort requirements, based on available 
security information from the UPDF. It is expected that the 
recommendations of the recently concluded SRA by UNDSS, will harmonise 
the positions of the government and humanitarian community on the issue 
of military escorts in Acholi region.

The UPDF in Kitgum continues to raise concern about certain practices by 
aid agencies regarding military escort system. The major complaint from 
the UPDF is that some agencies collect soldiers from the barracks and 
keep them idle in Kitgum town for several hours before proceeding to the 
field. A series of suggestions have been made to avoid this situation.

The improved security situation has also allowed displaced persons more 
freedom and access to farming land. In Pader, restrictions on movement 
have been relaxed. Displaced persons can now move beyond security 
perimeters which normally extend between one and three km. Curfews have 
also been relaxed with people now moving as early as 7.30am and as late 
as 7pm. In Katakwi too, curfews have been relaxed from 7.00am and 
5.00pm. Where security is limited, movement is only allowed between 
8.00am and 1.00pm.

In some areas, heavy second season rains that began in mid July are 
hampering access. In Katakwi and Amuria, access roads at the periphery 
have become impassable, curtailing humanitarian access to 37,635 
displaced persons in 17 camps and to settlements located in 
disadvantaged areas in Obalanga, Kapelabyong, Morugantuny and Acowa sub 
counties in Amuria district and parts of Ngariam and Magora Sub counties 
in Katakwi district. This has also affected community access to basic 
social services. In Pader, access to Kalongo, Wol, and Paimol camps on 
the north eastern side of Pader district is restricted due to a 
collapsed bridge which is making it impossible for heavy duty trucks 
with relief items to access these camps.

Measles outbreak in Pader and Kitgum

Efforts to control the spread of measles in the two districts continued. 
The measles mass campaign which was conducted from 14-16 July in 
collaboration with the Government, UN agencies and NGOs achieved 
coverage of 134% in Pader and 118% in Kitgum while Oral Polio Vaccine 
(OPV) achieved a coverage of 113% in Pader and 118% in Kitgum. Health 
workers attributed the increased coverage to the adequate mobilization, 
which even attracted people from neighbouring districts and Southern 
Sudan who were not among the target population for vaccination. By the 
end of July, WHO reported that 307 cases and seven deaths of measles 
were recorded in Pader while 35 cases and one death were recorded in 
Kitgum.

According to WHO and Ministry of Health, there are several challenges 
facing the efforts to combat the current measles outbreak. These include 
poor nationwide coverage of routine Emergency Programme on Immunisation 
(EPI), poor quality of cold chain services and unreliable population 
statistics for planning vaccination exercises.

A second phase of mass measles/polio campaigns is planned for Lira, Apac 
and Karamoja from 25th to 27th August 2006. WHO Gulu office reported 
that the planning for the measles campaign in Gulu has been suspended as 
staff from the District Directorate of Health Services (DDHS) is engaged 
in the ongoing 'Yellow Star Program', which is assessing the quality of 
services and gaps/problems in health facilities in the district.

Cholera outbreak

The cholera outbreak which hit the Acholi region in April is now under 
control. Kitgum district remains the most affected with 981 cases and 13 
deaths reported by WHO at the end of July. In Gulu, there were 29 cases 
and one death recorded. In Kitgum, new cases were reported from Kitgum 
Municipality and Madi opei, Mucwini, Padibe, Paloga and Orom 
displacement camps. There were no new cases reported in Gulu by July 22. 
In Pader the last case was reported on 4 July, and the cumulative number 
of cases is 20, with no deaths. In Gulu as in Kitgum, the town municipal 
centres are the most affected.

A team consisting of the District Education Office (DEO), District 
Health Inspector (DHI) and the DDHS and supported by WFP was instituted 
to look into the possibility of resuming the school-feeding programme 
which was suspended in April when cholera was confirmed in Kitgum. The 
team will carry out rapid needs assessments in all the learning centres 
beginning the first week of August and present their final report to the 
Cholera Task Force, which will make the final decision on whether or not 
to resume the school feeding programme. Any decision reached will be 
implemented on a case by case basis in the schools.

There are continued efforts to control the outbreak, including social 
mobilization, case management and improved water and sanitation 
situation. The Cholera task forces in the districts remain active, 
implementing both preventive and curative measures. However, limited 
access to safe water and poor hygiene and sanitation practices continue 
to undermine these efforts, particularly in the town/municipal centres.

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