Key developments since May 2002: Uganda
completed destruction of its stockpile of antipersonnel mines in July 2003.
Increased conflict with Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in the northern
districts has seen new use of antipersonnel mines by LRA forces. Mine risk
education activities were hampered by continuing insecurity, as well as lack of
funds.
Mine Ban Policy
Uganda signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December
1997, ratified it on 25 February 1999, and the treaty entered into force on 1
August 1999. In November 2002, a government official told Landmine Monitor that
the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs had submitted the final draft
of national implementation legislation to parliament for debate. This was
confirmed in January
2003.[1]
Uganda submitted an initial Article 7 transparency report on 24 May 2002; it
had been due on 28 January 2000. It provided its annual update on 24 July 2003,
covering the period from 24 May 2002 to 23 July 2003.
[2]
Uganda participated in the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002
and the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and May 2003.
Uganda voted in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74 in November
2002, promoting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.
Stockpiling and Destruction
Uganda’s initial Article 7 report for the
first time publicly revealed information about the antipersonnel mine stockpile.
It declared a stockpile of 6,782 mines, of which 4,382 would be destroyed and
2,400 mines would be retained for
training.[3]
At the Stockpile Destruction Standing Committee meeting in February 2003,
Uganda reported that the country was seeking external funding assistance to
destroy “not only landmines but also stocks of small arms and light
weapons that have been accumulated over a long period of wars.” The
delegation also noted that the number of mines to be destroyed had grown, as
additional mines had been captured from
rebels.[4]
At the May 2003 Standing Committee meeting, Uganda announced that the UN
Development Programme (UNDP) had made a firm commitment to assist with stockpile
destruction and that a technical team from UNDP was expected in Uganda on 20
May. It reported that the number of mines to be destroyed had increased to
5,592, due to new mines captured from rebels, and that on 5 April, 681 captured
mines were destroyed with the help of Handicap International
Belgium.[5]
In July, Uganda completed destruction of its antipersonnel stockpile, in
advance of its treaty-mandated deadline of 1 August 2003. On 7 July 2003,
Uganda carried out a destruction event at Kigo Prison shooting range on the
shores of Lake Victoria. Vice President Gilbert Bukenya initiated the first
detonation and government ministers, diplomats, army officers, religious leaders
and the media witnessed the event. A larger detonation by the Army occurred
later.[6]
At the event, the Defense Minister Ruth Nankabirwa reportedly said a total of
5,018 mines would be destroyed and the remaining 1,764 antipersonnel mines would
be retained for training
purposes.[7] This number is
less than the 2,400 mines Uganda originally reported it would retain for
training.[8]
The Canadian government reports that the destruction certificate, dated 9
July 2003, indicates that 6,383 mines were
destroyed.[9] The destruction
was funded by Canada, Germany and the UNDP. Canada also provided technical
assistance.[10]
Use
In 2000 and 2001, Landmine Monitor had reported
serious allegations of use of antipersonnel mines by Ugandan forces in the
Democratic Republic of Congo in June
2000.[11] The government denied
such use, but at the Third Meeting of States Parties in September 2001 said that
it supported the ICBL’s suggestion that a full investigation be carried
out.[12] Subsequently, at the
Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee meeting on 1 February 2002, Uganda informed
States Parties of a joint Uganda-Rwanda commission to look into conduct of the
fighting in the DRC, which would also investigate the allegations of landmine
use. Uganda said it would report back at the May 2002 Standing Committee
meetings. At that May 2002 meeting, Uganda reported that the commission had not
yet responded on the landmine
issue.[13] Uganda has made no
further public statements regarding the allegations or the investigation since
that time.
Use by Non-State Actors
In 2002, conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) intensified,
with renewed and increased reports of use of antipersonnel mines by the LRA. A
March 2002 agreement allowed Ugandan army units to pursue LRA units and displace
them from their training camps in southern Sudan under “Operation Iron
Fist.” Subsequently, the LRA intensified their attacks in Gulu, Pader and
Kitgum, and in some parts of Lira and Apac Districts. The rebel attacks have
resulted in new reports of mine use and new casualties.
On 25 August 2002, for example, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reported
that weapons and equipment recovered during “Operation Iron Fist”
included 174 antipersonnel mines and 20 antivehicle
mines.[14] In another operation
in southern Sudan, Ugandan forces recovered fifteen antipersonnel mines from LRA
rebels.[15] One army official
reported that in 2002, some 70 antipersonnel mines had been recovered from the
LRA in Sudan and fifteen in Gulu. He also said that the UPDF recovered a total
of 111 antipersonnel mines from Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts, as well as
three from Lira and one from Apac
districts.[16]
The UN has expressed concern about LRA actions, stating, “In eastern
Equatoria, activities by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) including
attacks within Uganda, led to the displacement of approximately 20,000 persons
within Sudan and the return of approximately 2,000 Sudanese nationals from
northern Uganda. These actions, including the laying of land mines on routes
used to provide humanitarian assistance, caused frequent road closures, which
impacted negatively on the provision of humanitarian
assistance.”[17]
Mine Clearance
Army deminers were deployed in northern Uganda
following increased LRA activity in
mid-2002.[18] A military
spokesman told Landmine Monitor, “The landmine sweepers will be used where
mines have been detected. We have seen that rebels had resorted to using
mines.”[19]
The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) carried out a mine action training needs
assessment in Uganda between 24 February and 5 March 2003, but the report has
not been released.[20]
Mine Risk Education
Mine Risk Education (MRE) is the only coordinated
mine action activity in Uganda. It continued in this reporting period, but on a
smaller scale because of limited funding and the intensified
insurgency.[21] MRE activities
have been a collaborative effort between Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief
(CPAR-Uganda), UNACOH, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear
War (IPPNW-Uganda), Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale
(AVSI), Ministry of Health Disability Department, District governments, the
Ugandan People’s Defense Forces, District Local Councils, and other
NGOs.[22]
In 2002, there were 1,778 MRE community educators for Kasese, Kitgum, Pader
and Gulu, including 153 sub-county level educators, 715 primary school teachers,
and 620 others.[23] Previously
trained community leaders have continued to disseminate information on landmines
both in western and northern Uganda. Radio programs on MRE are being carried
out. Two drama groups were formed in Paicho and Awach sub-counties of Gulu
district to carry out MRE through drama and dance in camps, schools and public
places. This has been hampered by the poor security situation in northern
Uganda.[24]
Last year, Landmine Monitor reported on a grant from Canada’s
development agency, CIDA, for an integrated MRE/victim support program mainly
for northern Uganda.[25] In
2002, Canada made a donation of US$118,125 to Uganda, apparently as a
continuation of this
program.[26] A mid-term
evaluation of the project, in November 2002, found most of the communities in
the affected districts were aware of the dangers posed by landmines and to a
large extent how to avoid them, but the knowledge was not universal. It was also
noted that a number of the people trained as mine risk educators lacked
resources to mobilize the communities effectively and districts did not have the
funds to support MRE programs. The evaluation reported that MRE has been
integrated in a number of development projects and groups such as farmers,
teachers and community leaders have been sensitized to increase mine awareness
in their communities.[27] As a
result of increased awareness, communities have increasingly reported landmines
to the authorities. For example, when three landmines planted by LRA rebels
near a water point were discovered, locals marked and reported them to the
authorities for destruction.[28]
Landmine Casualties
The total number of landmine casualties in Uganda
is not known, as there is no comprehensive data collection system. Some limited
information is available, however, as part of general hospital records
maintained according to the Health Information Management System.
In 2002, at least seven mine/UXO casualties were recorded in northern Uganda.
In Gulu district, one male mine casualty, aged 16 years, was admitted to St.
Mary’s Hospital Lacor.[29]
In Gulu regional hospital, two mine casualties, a man and a woman, were
treated.[30] In Gulu
Independent Hospital, a female mine casualty was admitted, but later
died.[31] In March 2002, one
man was killed and another injured when their truck hit a landmine near Pawele
trading center in Gulu
district.[32] In August 2002,
two schoolgirls were injured by landmines at Bungatira, Gulu district and
admitted to Gulu hospital.[33]
Casualties continue to be reported in 2003. In February, a mine casualty was
admitted to Kitgum hospital.[34]
In June, at least five people were killed and 19 others seriously injured when a
bus hit a landmine in northern
Uganda.[35] In early 2003,
a Ugandan soldier was killed in a landmine blast in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.[36]
In 2001, 32 new mine/UXO casualties were
reported.[37] Between 1991 and
March 2001, 602 mine casualties were reported in
Uganda.[38]
Survivor Assistance
Public health care facilities in the mine-affected
areas of northern and western Uganda are reportedly not equipped to handle
landmine casualties although basic health services are found in hospitals
throughout the country. However, in Kasese district in western Uganda, most of
the health facilities are operating reasonably well. Casualties often have to
travel long distances before reaching suitable medical
care.[39]
The Ministry of Health, with support from various development partners
including the WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Development
Bank, is endeavoring to improve existing health facilities and build new
facilities across the country, especially in mine-affected rural
areas.[40]
In 2002, the ICRC provided surgical supplies to three hospitals in the
southwest in Kasese and Bundibugyo, six hospitals in the north in Gula and
Kitgum, and to a medical camp in
Mbale.[41]
In December 2001, the ICRC handed over responsibility for the Fort Portal,Gulu, and Mbarara Regional Orthopedic workshops to the Ministry of Health,
after equipping the centers with implements and materials. In 2002, the Fort
Portal orthopedic workshop provided 100 prostheses. However, between January
and April 2003 only seven prostheses were fitted. The reduced numbers are
reportedly due to a lack of logistical support to transport and maintain
patients at the workshop; a service that was previously provided by the ICRC.
The workshop reportedly has a shortage of technical staff, with only two
orthopedic technicians who also act as physiotherapists. The Ministry of Health
has provided Ug. Shs 20,000,000 (approx. US$20,000) to run the
workshop.[42] Some of the
patients were landmine survivors, but Landmine Monitor was unable to determine
the exact number.
In 2002, the Gulu regional orthopedic workshop, with support from the NGO
AVSI, produced 180 prostheses and fitted 128, and produced 357 crutches and 16
other devices. Of those fitted with a prosthesis, 29 were landmine
survivors.[43] In Mbale
regional orthopedic workshop, 678 people were assisted; 18 received prostheses,
and 40 received crutches. No landmine survivors were assisted in
2002.[44]
The Italian NGO Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale (AVSI)
continued its program in thirteen districts of northern Uganda. The medical
rehabilitation program includes first aid training, and psychosocial support for
war victims, and supports the Gulu regional orthopedic workshop. In 2002, the
program assisted 350 people, including 59 mine survivors. The majority of mine
survivors were from Gulu (29) and Kitgum (15) districts. The program provided
191 prostheses, and distributed 106 crutches, 161 other devices, and 12
wheelchairs. The program was funded by AVSI ($120,080 in 2002), who works with
other partners including the Ugandan Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation
Desk, local authorities, local and national associations for persons with
disabilities, CPAR, Norwegian Refugee Council, and the World Food
Program.[45]
In September 2001, Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) started an
18-month integrated mine awareness and survivor assistance program in northern
Uganda. The program, which ended in March 2003, assisted at least 477 landmine
survivors with socioeconomic reintegration activities and psychosocial
support.[46] In Gulu district,
40 health workers and 15 Community Development Assistants were trained in
counseling skills, 100 family members of mine casualties received training in
counseling and first aid, and 23 local leaders from four sub-counties were
trained to support landmine survivors. Vocational training, which included
tailoring and carpentry, was provided to 112 landmine survivors. Trainees were
also provided with start-up equipment for small businesses. A mid-term
evaluation of the program reported that the provision of vocational training had
improved household incomes. Fifty landmine survivors were provided with
revolving grants to start income generating activities. In addition, 277
households with mine survivors were provided with seeds and farm
implements.[47]
Since December 2001, in Kasese district, the training of first level health
care providers in emergency first aid has been funded by International
Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and CPAR as part of the CPAR
program. Thirty first-level health workers have been trained. Due to limited
funding, however, the goal of training 60 emergency first aid health workers and
providing sufficient medicine and equipment to health units was not
realized.[48]
The NGO AMNET-R runs a rehabilitation center at the Zebedde Vocational
College in South Rwenzori. The program assists war victims, including landmine
survivors, and provides physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support,
vocational training, and a micro-credit
scheme.[49]
In Kasese district, the Kitende Hostels Project has assisted landmine
survivors since 1998. Since 2001, survivors have been taken to the nearby Fort
Portal Regional Workshop, about 60 kilometers from Kasese district, for the
fitting of prostheses. By June 2002, 74 people had benefited from the program,
which covers all the expenses of transport, food, fitting and hospital
charges.[50] Updated
information on activities for the entire year were not yet available.
The CARITAS Gulu branch provides emergency medical care and socioeconomic
reintegration in northern Uganda. The annual budget is Uganda Shillings
20,000,000 (US$10,750).[51] The
program assists mine survivors, but the exact number aided in 2002 is not
known.
Local NGOs are also assisting landmine survivors to form associations and
become self-sustaining. In Kasese district, through the encouragement of
AMNET-R, landmine survivors in Mukunyu sub-county formed the Mukunyu Landmine
Survivors Association, which is engaged in a number of income-generating
projects, including growing coffee seedlings, and knitting products for sale.
Future plans include acquiring a grinding machine and a generator for grinding
locally produced grains at a fee. The association has about 20
members.[52]
In northern Uganda, Margaret Arach, a landmine survivor and co-chair of the
ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance, is actively involved in promoting mine
victim assistance both in Uganda and internationally. In 2002, Arach, a
graduate of the Raising the Voices initiative, represented mine survivors at the
G6B Summit in Calgary, Canada in June, the 5th Anniversary of the
Oslo treaty negotiations in September, the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in
September, the Africa Peace Summit in Johannesburg in October, a speaking tour
to schools in Los Angeles in November, and the 5th Anniversary of the
signing of the Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa in December. In August 2002, Arach
helped create the Lira Landmine Survivors Association (LILASA) in Kampala.
Although initially planned for women mine survivors, it is now open to all
landmine survivors, and other persons with disabilities. LILASA has 46
members.[53]
Disability Policy and Practice
Uganda has comprehensive legislation on disability
issues.[54] However, a number of
interest groups are urging the government and other stakeholders to improve
opportunities for people with disabilities. For example, the Parliamentary
Committee on Equal Opportunities requested that the Government consider giving
people with disabilities protection and priority when delivering relief services
in war affected areas, and that disabled soldiers are re-integrated into the
army or community.[55]
[1] The Article 7 Report had not been
posted on the UN website when Landmine Monitor went to print. Therefore,
information from the report is not included in this edition of Landmine Monitor
Report 2003. [2] Telephone interview
with Capt. Kagoro Asingura, UPDF, 26 January
2003. [3] Article 7 Report, Forms B and
D, 24 May 2002. Details on the types and numbers of mines are in the report, as
well as Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
501. [4] Statement by Dora Kutesa,
Senior Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the Standing Committee on
Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 6 February 2003 (Landmine Monitor
notes). [5] Statement by Dora Kutesa,
Senior Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the Standing Committee on
Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 15 May 2003 (Landmine Monitor notes).
[6] Anne Mugisha, “Uganda
Destroys Mines Near Lake,” The New Vision, Vol. 18, No. 162, 8 July
2003. [7]
Ibid. [8] Article 7 Report, Form D, 24
May 2002. [9] Email from John McBride,
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, to Kerry
Brinkert, Implementation Support Unit, 29 July 2003. McBride indicates that
perhaps eight of the mines were naval
mines. [10] Telephone interview with
Capt. Kagoro Asingura, UPDF, Kampala, 6 July 2003; telephone interview with
Francis Wanyana, member of the National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light
Weapons, Kampala, 2 July 2003. [11] See
Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 115; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp.
163-166. [12] Statement by Uganda Head
of Delegation, Lt. Col. Ramandhan Kyamulesire, Ministry of Defense, to the Third
Meeting of States Parties, Managua, Nicaragua, 19 September 2001, as reported in
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp.
501-502. [13] Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 502. [14] Yoweri Museveni,
“Operation Iron Fist, Balance Sheet,” New Vision, 25 August 2002,
pp. 4-5. [15] Dennis Ojwee “UPDF
seizes 150 LRA guns in camp raid,” New Vision, 4 November 2002, pp.
1-2. [16] Interview with Capt. Wilson
Kabeera, Field Engineer, 4th Division, UPDF, Gulu, 6 March
2003. [17] UN Sudan CAP, October 2002.
[18] Emmy Allio and Chris Ochowun,
“Museveni deploys mine sweepers,” New Vision, 16 August 2002, pp.
1-2. [19]
Ibid. [20] Email from Eddie Mworozi,
Coordinator UCBL, who coordinated the MAG assessment, 12 July
2003. [21] Landmine Monitor Report 2002,
p. 503. [22] CIDA, “Mid-term
Evaluation of the Integrated Mine Action Program for Northern Uganda,”
September 2002. [23] AVSI Mine Action
Program, “Updated report on landmine issues in Northern Uganda,”
January 2003. The “others” included: 130 NGO staff, three
catechists, 40 reverends, 40 Uganda Red Cross Volunteers, 174 local council
officials, 33 youth counselors, and 200 community
members. [24] AVSI, “Landmine
issues in Northern Uganda,” January 2003.
[25] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
503. [26] UN Mine Action Investments
Database; see also, Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
503. [27] CIDA, “Mid-term
Evaluation,” September 2002.
[28] Interview with Capt. Wilson
Kabeera, UPDF, Gulu, 6 March 2003; AVSI, “Landmine issues in Northern
Uganda,” January 2003. [29]
Interview with Dr. Henry Ayo, St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor, 19 November
2002; interview with Dr Martin Ogwang, Surgeon, St. Mary’s Hospital,
Lacor, 17 April 2003; hospital medical records for
2002. [30] Interviews with Dr. Felix
Kaducu, Medical Superintendent, Gulu Regional Hospital, 18 November 2002 and 17
April 2003; Hospital medical records for
2002. [31] Interview with Dr. Dube
Goodwill, Medical Superintendent, Gulu Independent Hospital, 19 November 2002;
interview with Mathew Lamoro, Acting Medical Superintendent, Gulu Independent
Hospital, 17 April 2003; hospital medical records for
2002. [32] Response to Landmine Monitor
questionnaire from Michelle Ell, Project Officer, and C.J. Lamb, M & E
Officer, CPAR Uganda, 10 April
2002. [33] “Museveni Deploys mine
sweepers,” New Vision, 16 August 2002, pp.
1-2. [34] Interview with Dr. Alex Layo,
Medical Officer, Kitgum Hospital, Kitgum, 17 April 2003; hospital medical
records for 2002. [35] “Land mine
deaths,” Liverpool Daily Post & Echo, 11 June
2003. [36] “Ituri Braces for
Ugandan Pullout,” IRIN, 17 April
2003. [37] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 504. [38] Landmine Monitor
Report 2001, p. 168. [39] Ibid, p.
169. [40] Uganda Ministry of Health,
“Health Sector Strategic Plan 2000/2001–2004/05,” 5 August
2000. [41] ICRC, “Annual Report
2002,” Geneva, June 2003, p.
109. [42] Interview with Dr. Shaban
Abdallah, Resident Surgeon, Fort Portal Regional Hospital, and Patrick Oidi,
Orthopedic Technician and Workshop Manager, Fort Portal Orthopedic Workshop, 29
April 2003. [43] Interview with Omara
Kennedy Ag, Workshop Manager, Gulu Regional Orthopedic Workshop, 18 November
2002; interview with Emmanuel Kalanzi, Workshop Manager, Gulu Regional
Orthopedic Workshop, 17 April 2003. [44]
Interview with David Muzira, Senior Orthopedic Technician, and Grace Ogwang,
Orthopedic Assistant, Mbale Regional Workshop, 22 January
2003. [45] Email from Davide Naggi,
Program Coordinator, AVSI Gulu; response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire by
AVSI (provided to Landmine Monitor Italy), 15 March 2003; AVSI, “Landmine
issues in northern Uganda,” January
2003. [46] Interview with Otenya Alex,
Program Officer, CPAR, Gulu, 17 April
2003. [47] CIDA, “Mid-term
Evaluation,” September 2002. The final evaluation has not been carried
out. [48]
Ibid. [49] Ray R. Musinguzi,
“Landmines, A Silent War Still On,” New Vision, 25 November 2002;
see also ICBL, Portfolio of Landmine Victim Assistance Programs, available at
www.landminevap.org. [50]
Interview with Aaron Mukababebwa Muhindo, Coordinator, Landmine Victim Program,
Kitende Hostels Project, Kasese, 15 June
2002. [51] Interview with Walter Anywar,
Coordinator, CARITAS, Gulu, 19 November
2002. [52] Interview with Wilson
Bwambale, Coordinator, AMNET-R, Kasese District, 22 November
2002. [53] Interview with Margaret
Arach, co-chair, ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance, Kampala, 16 December,
2002; telephone interview with Margaret Arach, 27 January 2003; email from
Margaret Arach to Landmine Monitor (HIB), 18 June
2003. [54] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 506. [55] Milton Olupot,
“MPs Appeal to army on landmine victims,” New Vision, 21 November
2002.
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