The nature and causes of conflict and its implications for peace building in the great lakes region. A case study of LRA conflict in northern Uganda.

Abstract

Despite intense programmatic efforts by the Great Lakes Region (GLR)to reduce wars/conflicts by the regional frameworks, organizations, governments and various agencies through several approaches, there is still a tendency of relapse of conflicts due to lack of or inadequate peace-building promotion. This study, therefore took to address a case of the nature and causes of conflict and its implications for peace building in the great lakes region. Given the specificity of conflicts, this study uses the case of LRA conflict in northern Uganda not as a true picture of conflicts of the region but to establish the nature and causes of conflicts and how they imply for peacebuilding. The study addresses the LRA conflict in Acholiland, Northern Uganda which erupted in 1986. It is primarily focused on the causes, nature and trend of the conflict and seeks to explore strategies for peace building in Northern Uganda. A qualitative research approach was employed with a case study research design (case of the LRA war) to four affected districts of Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya and Kitgum of Acholiland, in Northern Uganda where the conflict had severe impact. Through key informant interview and questionnaire it sought out information from 30 respondents out of the targeted sample size of 52. In doing so, it was found that, the historical violence, discontent, power struggle and political and economic inequality are the factors that kick-started the conflict. The nature of the conflict characterized of the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) under Tito Okello (RIP) and the NRM/A rebels under their leader YoweriMuseveni 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. The conflict is viewed as a struggle for political power and control between North and South deep rooted regional divide and the historical violence right from the country’s independence in 1962. The conflict has been far reaching and include destabilization of the region, the displacement of up to 1.8 million people, the killing and mutilation of tens of thousands of civilians, and the abduction of even more civilians, mainly children, for recruitment in the LRA forces and what seemed to be the benefits to both fighting parties. In the long run, the effects have retarded development efforts in Acholi land including in other regions of the country. This study concludes that the government needs to enhance its commitment to the implementation of peace accords. With the help ix 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. There is also the need to prioritize development efforts in Northern Uganda to address economic disparities with other regions of the country; revisit resolving the conflict amicably in the context of traditional “Matooput” justice system widely practiced in Acholi land, preaching of love for one another and extending of amnesty by the GoU to the rebels. All these measures 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 which will lead to strategic peace building and lasting peace. This therefore calls for further research on strategies towards it.