76,000 stranded in former IDP camps
Aug 07, 2010
WHEREAS most former internally displaced persons in northern Uganda have returned to their villages following the end of the war, 76,386 are still stranded in camps because of land disputes.
By Chris Ocowun
WHEREAS most former internally displaced persons in northern Uganda have returned to their villages following the end of the war, 76,386 are still stranded in camps because of land disputes.
The former IDPs are occupying camps in Gulu, Amuru, Pader, Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago and Nwoya districts.
They include over 13,000 “extremely vulnerable individuals†who do not have caretakers, according to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The report reveals that widows, single mothers and orphans have not returned home because they were denied access to their land.
In sub-counties like Lokung, Madi-Opei and Agoro in Lamwo district, resettlement has been hampered by disputes with southern Sudan, which is claiming parts of Lamwo.
Some camps like Orom in Kitgum district have not been closed because of the fear of Karimojong cattle rustlers back home.
According to the Odek sub-county LC3 chairman, Matthew Olobo, about 180 families are stuck at Corner Agula camp in Lalogi sub-county, due to a land dispute between the Palaro and Lukwor clans at Te-Yaa village.
Residents claim attempts to settle the rampant land conflicts by LC1 and LC3 authorities have yielded little success because the leaders take sides.
Meanwhile, the UNHCR report states that 1,347,335 former IDPs have returned to their homes in the Acholi sub-region.
After their departure, landlords used their huts for business.
For instance, Bibia camp in Amuru district had become a stop-over for Ugandan traders heading to southern Sudan, until it was closed last week.
John Okello, the chairman of Amuru district management committee, said it took long to close the camp because it was hard to determine whether the occupants were IDPs or traders.
Okello also said most of the former IDP camps were being levelled and pine seedlings being planted there before handing them over to the owners.
He said this move was meant to make the land productive again.
WHEREAS most former internally displaced persons in northern Uganda have returned to their villages following the end of the war, 76,386 are still stranded in camps because of land disputes.
The former IDPs are occupying camps in Gulu, Amuru, Pader, Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago and Nwoya districts.
They include over 13,000 “extremely vulnerable individuals†who do not have caretakers, according to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The report reveals that widows, single mothers and orphans have not returned home because they were denied access to their land.
In sub-counties like Lokung, Madi-Opei and Agoro in Lamwo district, resettlement has been hampered by disputes with southern Sudan, which is claiming parts of Lamwo.
Some camps like Orom in Kitgum district have not been closed because of the fear of Karimojong cattle rustlers back home.
According to the Odek sub-county LC3 chairman, Matthew Olobo, about 180 families are stuck at Corner Agula camp in Lalogi sub-county, due to a land dispute between the Palaro and Lukwor clans at Te-Yaa village.
Residents claim attempts to settle the rampant land conflicts by LC1 and LC3 authorities have yielded little success because the leaders take sides.
Meanwhile, the UNHCR report states that 1,347,335 former IDPs have returned to their homes in the Acholi sub-region.
After their departure, landlords used their huts for business.
For instance, Bibia camp in Amuru district had become a stop-over for Ugandan traders heading to southern Sudan, until it was closed last week.
John Okello, the chairman of Amuru district management committee, said it took long to close the camp because it was hard to determine whether the occupants were IDPs or traders.
Okello also said most of the former IDP camps were being levelled and pine seedlings being planted there before handing them over to the owners.
He said this move was meant to make the land productive again.