Examining reparation as a strategy for peace-building in post war northern Uganda: case study community in Koch Ongako sub-county, Gulu district

Abstract

This study sought to examine reparation as a strategy for peace-building in post-war northern Uganda. As reflected in the Juba peace process, reparation is recognised under Agenda Item No.3 of the Juba peace agreement. This agreement and its subsequent protocol are very explicit as regards the application of reparation as a means to seek justice and national reconciliation in Northern Uganda and Uganda at large. This study therefore focused at three thematic areas which included; the categories of victims in the northern Uganda conflict for whom reparation is paramount; the forms of reparation used to meet the needs of victims; and mechanisms for effective implementation of reparation as a means to enhance reconciliation and sustainable peace. Current debates suggest that reparation is one of the key to national reconciliation. . The post-war period in northern Uganda provides an opportunity to explore the effectiveness of reparation in healing the wounds of victims. A case study design and qualitative approach was adopted to explore in-depth the emerging issues on the significance of applying a reparation policy. The Key respondents for the study included government and civil society officials, who were selected using purposive sampling technique; and the community members, who were randomly selected. Data was collected with the aid of key informant interviews from civil society officials and government officials. FGD’s also aided the process of data collection with the community members. The study was descriptive, exploratory and interpretative in nature. The study findings revealed that while the acceptability and usefulness of reparations are adequately articulated and recognised in various literatures locally and internationally, its acceptance remains problematic and this explains why there exists no policy in place to implement reparation. The study also revealed that other forms of reparation included symbolic reparation which included apologies, official acknowledgments, dignified reburials, commemorations and transformation of places of mass atrocities into public memorials. In terms of mechanisms, the study revealed further that for effective implementation of reparation there was need to establish a reparation policy alongside a transitional justice policy as well as enact a national reconciliation law. The key recommendations include the need to develop a policy and legal framework by the Government of Uganda as regards accountability to victims of the legacies of violence in northern Uganda. Besides there is need for Government of Uganda to adopt a deliberate reparation policy framework that is aimed at reconciliation and provision of victims ‘psycho-social needs and sense of justice