Communal conflicts and peaceful extra judicial settlements among refugees. Case study: of refugees in Nakivale refugee settlement, Isingiro district

Abstract

This study aimed at studying Communal conflicts and peaceful extra judicial settlements among refugees using a case study of Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District. A descriptive research method called a case study research design was used for this study. The study had a sample size of 50 respondents and these included Refugee NGO workers, Refugee community representatives and members of the general refugee community among others. The respondents were given different sets of questionnaires and interview guide questions. The two sets of questionnaires and interview guide questions administered to the refugee respondents and the officials were then used to collect raw data that has formed the basis of this research report. A slightly mixed data collection methodology that included a limited aspect of qualitative research were used, in that; some in-depth interviews were conducted with the refugee NGO workers as well as the refugees, ostensibly used to corroborate information got from the questionnaires. Documentary sources of data were also very crucial in corroborating in information from both the in-depth interviews as well as the questionnaires. The study is divided into chapters, with chapter four; presenting findings and analyses and chapter five; drawing conclusions and recommendation. In the first objective, the study concluded that electoral conflicts, structural, interest and interest conflicts were some of the forms of communal conflicts among others. In the second objective of the study, it was concluded that the common factors for the rise in communal conflicts among refugees living in refugee settlements in Uganda were among others; weak law and order, economic crisis, disputes over land, population explosion and ethnicity. In the third objective, It was concluded that; mediation, reconciliation, adoption of use of arbitration method and rehabilitation among others were the most important ways through which non legal settlements can be used in the study area. It was recommended that; all concerned parties must ensure the availability of the necessary finance to design a national extra judicial settlements policy and implement it and encourage all communal conflict-affected communities to engage in reconciliation dialogue.