Working Towards Peace in Northern Uganda

RI Advocates Sarah and Kavita have been traveling throughout Northern Uganda to assess the current humanitarian situation and the impact of the peace process between the Government of Uganda and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). You can read their latest blog entry here: Baking bread in Northern Uganda.

The 20-year conflict in Northern Uganda displaced around 1.7 million people, who continue to live in squalid camps and settlements without access to adequate basic services.

Sarah and Kavita recently arrived in Juba, south Sudan, where the peace talks between the LRA and the Government of Uganda have been taking place for more than half a year. In Juba the RI team will be trying to meet up with people involved in the negotiations, and will look into humanitarian and protection issues, such as adequate support to demobilizing soldiers and the possibility of the LRA releasing women and children that the movement has held captive.

Earlier this month, Jan Egeland, the United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited south Sudan and met with LRA leader Joseph Kony to discuss the peace agreement. Unfortunately, according to reports, he was not very successful after his encounter with the elusive Kony.

RI applauds Egeland's dedication to bringing an end to the conflict in Northern Uganda. But as this recent letter to Egeland by President Ken Bacon outlines, while the peace process continues in Juba, there are still serious humanitarian concerns that need to be dealt with in Northern Uganda.