By Geresom Musamali

THERE is a significant proportion of missing men between the ages of 20 and 34 in northern Uganda, a UN report has revealed. The report, which was launched on Friday by the United Nations Development Programme, also noted a significant proportion of missing children under the age of five in the North.

It attributed the imbalance of men to the war, which has ravaged the region for two decades.

“The latter might be caused by increased child mortality, decreased fertility or shifts in the age distribution of fertile women in the last five years.”
Quoting from the 2006 Uganda Demographic Health Survey, the report attributes child mortality mainly to malaria, malnutrition and diarrhoea.

Northern Uganda has a young population, the report, ‘Returning to Uncertainties? Addressing Vulnerability in Northern Uganda’, pointed out. “The median age for women is 14 years, while that for men is 13.”

The survey, carried out between May and July among 5,000 households in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Amuru, Lira and Oyam, found that almost one quarter (23%) of the households were female-headed.

It also found that 18% of the women between 30 and 49 years were widows, double the rate of the rest of Uganda.
In terms of income, female headed households were found the hardest hit by poverty, with 80% unable to raise sh20,000 a week.

Households that had left the camps were better off than those still in the camps or in transit. They owned more furniture and bedding, according to the study.

Overall, hardly 30% of the households in the region had beds and mattresses.
However, the survey established that most people had the capacity to engage in basic agriculture. Over 80% had hoes and 50% had pangas.

The report also pointed out that there was uncertainty over land ownership.
“The current confusion over land is exacerbated by widespread uncertainty among the IDPs about what has actually happened to their land during the time of displacement,” it said.

The researchers established that despite the high poverty levels, the general condition of the people in the North had greatly improved since the last survey.
“The conditions in northern Uganda are better than they have been for many years. Since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on August 26, 2006, peace has prevailed, and this has clearly improved the humanitarian situation.”

Eastern Kitgum and Pader still faced incursions by Karamojong cattle-rustlers, according to the study.

“Those areas have not experienced any peace dividend, but rather a deteriorating security situation, as they have increasingly become victims of raiding parties from Karamoja.”

The report also pointed out that the people in the areas surveyed now had a greater sense of security than they did two years ago.

“As many as 72% of the adult population say they feel safer now than two years ago, versus 11% that feel less secure.”
Most of the hope, it appeared, was hinged on the Juba peace talks. The report, therefore, cautioned policy makers and development partners against making unrealistic promises.

The study was funded by the Norwegian Government and was carried out by the Oslo-based Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme and the Prime Minister’s Office.

SURVEY FINDINGS