Donors must encourage voluntary returns in the north and provide flexible funding for recovery activities.

Overview
Despite the lack of a signature by Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel leader Joseph Kony to the Final Peace Agreement, there is now relative peace and stability in northern Uganda.  More than two decades of fighting between the LRA and the government military forced 1.8 million people to become internally displaced in the north.  Although displaced people have begun returning home, many still require assistance in the camps, particularly because of the absence of basic services in return areas.  Despite this, Refugees International is concerned that the Government of Uganda has stated that all displaced people must go home now.

Current Humanitarian Situation
About half of those who were displaced during the conflict have left the original camps.  But Refugees International found that many are keeping a foot in two places – one in their home areas and one in the transit camps close by.  Basic services in return areas have not yet been built up, and while displaced people can now access their land to farm, many do not have access to safe water, health or education services in their home areas.  Services also need to be maintained in the camps and transit sites for those who are not able to return yet, particularly the elderly.

The Government of Uganda’s Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) is an opportunity to rebuild war-torn villages and address grievances that led to the conflict in the north.  The Government or Uganda has yet to show a clear commitment to funding the PRDP.  At the same time, a gap in funding from international donors is opening up as programs transition from humanitarian to longer-term development.

Action Needed

• International donors, particularly the US, UK, and UNHCR, must pressure the Government of Uganda to adhere to its National Policy for Internally Displaced Persons and ensure that all returns are voluntary, in safety and dignity.
• Flexible, timely funding is needed from donors in order to increase recovery activities and respond to the transition from humanitarian to development programs in the north.