IDPs may be forced to leave camps - Gulu boss
Sep 01, 2008
Acholi leaders are contemplating forcing internally displaced people (IDPs) to return to their villages, Gulu district vice-chairman has said.
By Charles Kakamwa
Acholi leaders are contemplating forcing internally displaced people (IDPs) to return to their villages, Gulu district vice-chairman has said.
Mcmot Kitara explained that 25% of the IDPs had refused to leave the camps over fears that the Lord’s Reisistance Army (LRA) rebels might attack them.
He said the conditions of the IDP camps were deplorable. “People in the camps are more traumatised. The men only wake up to drink and make children,†said Kitara, who led a delegation that toured health units in Jinja district last week.
He noted that Gulu’s local revenue base was limited because of the 21-year-long conflict.
Kitara explained that they mainly depend on funds from the central government.
Jinja resident district commissioner Christopher Bagonza called on the leaders to support government programmes in order to prosper.
Alex Kalisa, a health educator in Jinja, said HIV prevalence in Gulu district was higher among married people.
He attributed the situation to poverty and unemployment caused by the LRA insurgency.
The tour, which ended on Friday, was sponsored by the Northern Uganda Malaria and Tuberculosis Control Programme.
Acholi leaders are contemplating forcing internally displaced people (IDPs) to return to their villages, Gulu district vice-chairman has said.
Mcmot Kitara explained that 25% of the IDPs had refused to leave the camps over fears that the Lord’s Reisistance Army (LRA) rebels might attack them.
He said the conditions of the IDP camps were deplorable. “People in the camps are more traumatised. The men only wake up to drink and make children,†said Kitara, who led a delegation that toured health units in Jinja district last week.
He noted that Gulu’s local revenue base was limited because of the 21-year-long conflict.
Kitara explained that they mainly depend on funds from the central government.
Jinja resident district commissioner Christopher Bagonza called on the leaders to support government programmes in order to prosper.
Alex Kalisa, a health educator in Jinja, said HIV prevalence in Gulu district was higher among married people.
He attributed the situation to poverty and unemployment caused by the LRA insurgency.
The tour, which ended on Friday, was sponsored by the Northern Uganda Malaria and Tuberculosis Control Programme.