The Hard Road to Peace in Northern Uganda: Analysis of Contrasting Perspectives on the Northern Uganda Peace Negotiations.

This study addresses the Northern Uganda conflict, which has been on-going since 1986. It is primarily focused on the difficult question of why the violence has persisted since then. In doing this, we have analysed the reasons for the war to begin with. We have noted the colonial divide and rule between North and South, the grievances of the failed 1985 Nairobi Peace Talks between the Military Junta of General Tito Okello Lutwa and the NRM/A rebels under their leader Museveni that resulted in the overthrow of the former government in 1986, as well as the human rights violations inflicted on defeated UNLA soldiers and affected Acholiland communities. These were among the main reasons the conflict started up after the NRA/M assumed power. At one level, the conflict can be viewed as a struggle for political power and control between North and South and its effect have retarded development efforts including in other regions of the country. Conflict resolution mechanisms have been largely unsuccessful to date. Reasons for this include both the lack of a clear approach by the government and the unwillingness of the LRA/M to genuinely negotiate for peace. A three-pronged strategy (military pressure on the LRA, offers of amnesty and negotiations) have at different times produced failed peace settlements. The lack of clear political leadership from the LRA, military support from the Khartoum government to the LRA and lately the ICC arrest warrant have further complicated the terms and progress of the Juba Peace Talks, which started in July 2006 with no end in sight. This study concludes that the government needs to enhance its commitment to the implemtation of peace accords. With the help of the International Community, the government could establish a Truth and Reconciliation to address the various human rights violations that have plagued the North of the country since the war started. This study also highlights the need to priotise development efforts in Northern Uganda to address economic disparities with other regions of the country. There is also a need to revisit the ICC arrest warrant in the context of traditional “Mato Oput” justice system widely practiced in Acholiland. All these measured could help promote national accountability and reconciliation in Uganda as a whole. Finally, the long-term process of reconstruction and reconciliation in Uganda is seen as depending crucially on the Ugandan people’s understanding of their own history.