VZCZCXRO1591
RR RUEHGI RUEHRN RUEHROV
DE RUEHKM #1160/01 1940823
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130823Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9075
INFO RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0607
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUEHTO/AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 0415
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 3295
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KAMPALA 001160
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID AND OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL MOPS ASEC CASC EAID UG SU
SUBJECT: NORTHERN UGANDA NOTES (July 1-14, 2007)
1. (U) Summary: The following Northern Uganda Notes provides
information on the situation on the ground and USG activities aimed
at meeting Mission's objectives in northern Uganda. These
objectives include promoting regional stability through peace and
security, good governance, access to social services, economic
growth, and humanitarian assistance. Post appreciates feedback from
consumers on the utility of this product and any gaps in information
that need to be filled. End Summary.
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PEACE AND RECONCILIATION PROCESSES
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2. (SBU) The negotiators are in recess until next month while the
Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) consult
with stakeholders. Minister of Internal Affairs, Ruhakana Rugunda,
publicly invited the LRA to join in on the consultations with
stakeholders in northern Uganda. The GOU also plans to bring
together Uganda's top lawyers to devise a concrete mechanism that
addresses the needs for justice, accountability, and reconciliation.
At the GOU's request, the USG and other donors are looking for ways
to support the consultation process.
3. (SBU) USG Activities: Ambassador Browning and USAID Director
Margot Ellis traveled with a Senate Foreign Relations Committee
staffer and an Armed Services Committee staffer to northern Uganda
from July 4-6. During the visit, the staffers examined bilateral and
military relations, the peace process, health and development
issues, President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR),
counterterrorism and special operations efforts, and the
establishment of the Africa Command (AFRICOM). On June 19, USAID
released a draft Statement of Work (SOW) titled, "Stability, Peace,
and Reconciliation in Northern uGanda (SPRING). The issuance of the
draft SOW was designed to get comments and suggestions from firms,
organizations, experts in the subject matter, and other interested
parties. SPRING's objective is to reduce current conflict, prevent
the escalation of social, economic and political tensions and
strengthen institutions for the promotion of peace and
reconciliation. SPRING will support a set of activities in three
basic areas: (1) Peace-building and reconciliation; (2) Economic
security and social inclusion; and (3) Access to justice. The
deadline for submission of written comments is July 13, 2007.
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HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY
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4. (SBU) USG Activities: CJTF HOA has received approval to build
and repair several secondary schools in Pader, Lira, and Kitgum
districts and a pediatric ward at Kitgum District Referral Hospital.
Since October 2006, CJTF HOA has repaired 25 boreholes and is in the
process of drilling an estimated 50 new ones. "Seabees", the CJTF
HOA Naval Construction unit, conducted a pre-deployment site survey
of Aromo bridge and culvert in Lira district. Their mission is to
prevent conflict, promote stability and protect coalition within
those three districts. They are successfully performing with
borehole repairs, new borehole drilling, and construction and
rehabilitation of schools and clinics. They hope to begin repairing
the bridge in late September or early October, working with the
Uganda People's Defense Force and Lira district's engineers. The
project remains on schedule.
5. (SBU) Other: The latest monthly meeting of the Government of
Uganda's Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) for the Emergency
Humanitarian Action Plan for LRA-affected areas was held on June 29.
The JMC continues to enhance accountability and communications
between the central government, local authorities, and development
partners. The JMC has been extended for an additional three months
until end- September. During the extension, the primary focus will
be on strengthened security through the continued deployment of
police, and security and emergency roads. It was noted that even
after JMC ends, the needs for humanitarian assistance will continue.
Also, an alternative monitoring mechanism will be put in place for
the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) to deal with
humanitarian, transition, recovery and development efforts in
northern Uganda.
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SECURITY UPDATE
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6. (SBU) USG Activities: A community policing and integrated
KAMPALA 00001160 002 OF 002
administration of justice pilot project funded by USAID and
State/INL is starting up in Lira district. Trainers from the
Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training
Assistance Program (ICITAP) note that police and other justice, law
and order institutions in northern Uganda are facing difficulties
due to the lack of essential supplies and equipment in the offices
and courts. The absence of computers and communications hinders the
ability of the police to re-establish a functioning civilian police
system. They also lack transportation for both officers and
investigators. There are only two motorcycles and one vehicle
provided for the entire Lira district. The conditions of the offices
are difficult due to water and termite damage. Poor communication
reduces the ability of the police to respond in a timely manner to
incidents and is a huge safety issue. On a more positive note, a
conference of local residents was held to discuss the community
justice project.
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IN THE MEDIA AND THE WEB
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7. (U) Human Rights Watch issued a statement on July 9 welcoming
the provision for trials in the June 29 agreement between Uganda and
the LRA, but cautioning that adequate penalties are needed. "If
national courts handed down a slap-on-the-wrist sentence in the
event of convictions for the most serious crimes ... such trials
would be tainted even if they were otherwise fair and credible,"
commented Richard Dicker, International Justice Program Director at
Human Rights Watch.
8. (U) Human Rights Watch also pointed out that although the
International Criminal Court favors national trials, "a case can be
returned to the ICC if it does not meet benchmarks for national
prosecution." The ICC issued arrest warrants for LRA leaders for
crimes against humanity and war crimes in 2005.
BROWNING